The Duke of Cambridge has launched a new online gateway designed to help employers improve mental health support services.
This Mental Health at Work gateway is a free portal that can be accessed across the UK. It brings together information, advice, resources and training for employers.
Resources can be searched according to the size and type of business, allowing employers to create bespoke packages of support to improve wellbeing in their workforce. It can also be access by employees.
The gateways has been created by the charity Mind, with support from The Royal Foundation, Head Heads Together and 11 other organisations.
This launch comes as new research from Mind found that that poor mental health at work is widespread, with half (48 per cent) of those surveyed saying they had experienced a mental health problem in their current job.
This survey, of more than 44,000 employees, also revealed that only half of these people had talked to their employer about their mental health.
Mind says that in-depth analysis of this survey shows that properly supporting managers can make a huge difference.
Managers who felt their employer supported their mental health, or actively built their skills in supporting team members with mental health problems, were far more likely to feel confident in promoting staff wellbeing.
Mind’s chief executive Paul Farmer say: “We are proud to be involved in this piece of work, which offers a one-stop shop for anyone looking to improve mental wellbeing in their workplace and support staff with mental health problems.
“We know that employers want to do more and are starting to see mental health as a priority, but often don’t know where to start.
“Over the last few years employers have begun to take staff wellbeing more seriously. Now is the time for a step change in how we think about mental health at work. All employers need to make it a focus and support their staff.
“It’s clear from our research that when employers support their managers properly, it can make a big difference to the whole organisation. The gateway gives managers the tools they need.”
