IN THIS SECTION
Mental health in the workplace: how far have we come in addressing the issues? p9 | Nine board roles of the future p11 Edwin Morgan: ‘UK plc needs long-termism, not political partisanship’ p13 | Everyone’s talking about accessibility p14
MINDFULNESS MATTERS
IT’S WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY ON 10 OCTOBER. As the initiative raises public awareness of the issues, businesses have an ideal opportunity to reflect on their wellbeing policies. While there’s clearly still some way to go – the estimated cost of mental ill-health to UK plc is £35 billion a year – there has been a marked increase in employers’ willingness to address what was once widely considered a taboo topic. Here are some of the year’s key developments so far.
FIRST-AID MILESTONE On average, each small or medium-sized business in the UK will lose 28 working days a year to mental ill-health. Aiming to change that stat is Mental Health First Aid England. Its two-day course can qualify employees as mental health first-aiders. The community- interest company estimates that it will, by World Mental Health Day, have trained 500,000 people nationwide.
APPLIANCE OF SCIENCE The digital revolution has undoubtedly contributed to the global mental health challenge, but it can offer some relief too. Unmind is an online “workplace mental health platform” that provides research-backed exercises using cognitive behavioural therapy. Employers including John Lewis, William Hill and Yorkshire Building Society have already paid for their staff to use the service.
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT It’s clear that big business has got the mental health memo. Lloyds Bank is continuing its #gettheinsideout campaign, while Barclays and Tesco have signed up to the Time to Change campaign’s pledge to create a more emotionally intelligent workplace culture. It’s been boosted by public figures such as the Duke of Sussex, who will soon feature in an Apple TV series on mental health.
BURNOUT ACKNOWLEDGED In May, the World Health Organisation announced that it was officially classifying burnout as “an occupational phenomenon”. This means that it will become a globally recognised medical condition from 2020. It’s hoped that this will result in quicker diagnoses and better treatment for the 500,000-plus people who suffer from work-related stress in the UK every year.
To access the IoD’s mental health action pack for business leaders, visit
iod.com/mappingmentalhealth
director.co.uk 9
SHUTTERSTOCK
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