Next Monday is “Blue Monday”, believed by some to be the most depressing day of the year. The theory goes that bad weather, Christmas debt, failed New Year’s resolutions and a distant payday will create a nationwide outbreak of misery on 16th January.
While this idea is far from scientific (it was originally conceived as a PR stunt to sell winter holidays), it is true that January can be a difficult time for many. As an employer, we’re sure that you want to do everything you can to ensure robust mental health among your staff. From adjusting the office environment to learning mental health first aid, here are some ideas for beating the winter blues; as well as a look at the costs of failing to do so.
Neglecting mental health can be a costly mistake
Every year, the HSE releases its annual summary of UK workplace health and safety.
The most recent report showed a worrying decline in the mental health of British workers. There were an estimated 914,000 cases of stress, depression and anxiety reported in 2021/22, an increase of 64,000 (7%) compared to the previous year.
Most concerning of all, 372,000 workers reported a new work-related mental health condition. The HSE’s chief executive Sarah Albon sums up the severity of the situation:
“Stress and poor mental health is the number one cause of work-related ill health. The effects of stress, depression, and anxiety can have a significant impact on an employee’s life and on their ability to perform their best at work.”
This isn’t just worrying from a well-being point of view. It also can have serious ramifications for your business. Over 17 million working days were lost to poor mental health in 2021/22, making up more than half of all absences. It costs UK companies billions of pounds per year.
What can I do to support my staff?
Most employers now recognise that mental health is just as important as physical health in the workplace. The problem is that, while physical dangers are easy to spot, mental health risks are often invisible.
The best way to change this is to encourage open conversations about mental health. Let your employees know that they can always come to you if they are struggling, and make external support resources available to anyone who needs them.
Changing the company culture in this way is a long process, but extremely worthwhile. In the meantime, there are some practical steps you can take to improve employee well-being:
- Ensure that there is plenty of light in the workplace. Consider rearranging desks or adding extra light sources in the winter.
- Give employees plenty of breaks, and encourage them to get some fresh air during the day.
- Minimise stress by ensuring that employees have enough time to complete tasks.
- Be flexible about working hours, especially for those with long-term illnesses or family commitments.
- Check-in frequently with your team, paying particular attention to remote workers.
- Organise events to encourage a greater sense of community.
Mental health first aid
These are all useful strategies, but the most effective way to improve workplace well-being is to train one or more employees in mental health first aid. There are two advantages to this. It guarantees that someone is always on hand to provide support, and it shows your employees that you take their mental health seriously.
If you’d like to hear more about our mental health first aid offerings, get in touch today.
Don’t let January get the better of you.
