The recommendations in the UK government’s Keep Britain Working Review place a welcome emphasis on the workplace’s role in preventing poor mental health, the Mental Health Foundation has said.
The review, undertaken by Sir Charlie Mayfield, sought to examine the challenges faced by the UK government in helping the millions of people across the country who are currently out of work long-term sick, many with mental health problems, return to and remain in the workforce.
Mark Rowland, Chief Executive at the Mental Health Foundation, said:
“Being in good employment can be incredibly important for maintaining positive mental health. Many of us spend the majority of our adult lives working, so our employers shape so much of how we feel every day. For those of us out of work due to a mental health problem, it can be impactful on our sense of self-worth and identity, creating a vicious cycle from which it can be hard to escape.
“Given that, it’s welcome that the Keep Britain Working Review places a strong emphasis on workplaces putting in place the mechanisms we know prevent poor mental health from arising, and which could better enable people with mental health problems to return to work when they are ready. We’re also pleased to see the review looking to what works in countries like the Netherlands and Denmark, which have much more effective systems for keeping employees in good health, and which we think the UK government should consider emulating.
“The UK government must also play a role in recognising and rewarding those employers who lead the way on fostering positive workplaces, for example through grants and certification schemes, and disincentivising those who fail to do so.
“Ultimately, employment is only one of a range of factors that impact our mental health. We need to see action across society if the UK government is to help more of us stay mentally healthy, including a focus on helping people access preventative support much earlier in their mental health journey.”