An independent review says poor mental health in the workplace is costing the UK economy about £99bn

Today saw the publication of the Stevenson-Farmer independent review into workplace mental health - the review, Thriving at Work – calls for action to tackle the high-levels of poor mental wellbeing that UK workers are suffering.

It says that poor mental health costs employers up to £42bn a year with an annual cost to the UK economy of £99bn. It also found that in many workplaces, mental health remains a taboo subject and that consequently opportunities are being missed to provide employees who are struggling, with the help and support that they need. says poor mental health costs employers up to £42bn a year with an annual cost to the UK economy of £99bn.

To address this, the report has outlined six key principles that all employers should adopt as a basis for effectively managing workplace mental health. These recommendations highlight the need for companies – irrespective of scale and scope – to encourage a more open and transparent organisational culture that breeds greater knowledge of the issue as well as provision to monitor progress of its effective management.

To view the report visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/thriving-at-work-a-review-of-mental-health-and-employers

As the Health in Construction Leadership Group (HCLG), one of our main priorities is to promoting good mental health and reduce mental ill health in the construction industry.

Ultimately, the HCLG encourages construction employers to have in place a mental health programme which drives a culture of speaking up, and where design and construction programmes and workplace arrangements are implemented in such a way that the mental health and wellbeing of the workers is safeguarded and protected.

The HCLG has worked with Mates in Mind to develop an industry-wide framework and programme which construction employers can adopt in order to achieve this.

Specifically, Mates in Mind uses a framework consisting of four key elements, which together provide a joined-up approach that can be tailored to a company’s specific needs. These are: Guidance and support, awareness and education, communication, research and development.

For more information and to get involved in Mates in Mind visit www.matesinmind.org.

The HCLG will continue to provide information about Mates in Mind and other mental health schemes to help construction employers to tackle the issue of mental health on this website.