The vast majority of employers in Ireland have noticed an increase in mental health challenges in the workplace since the Covid-19 pandemic, a new survey by Mental Health Ireland (MHI) has found.

According to the findings, most employers and managers say that they are confident about having conversations about mental health and they have noticed an increase in openness about this topic in the workplace.

However, while 39% of staff feel that their workplace has strong mental health policies in place, 33% feel that their company does not adhere to these policies or put them into practice. 

Meanwhile, many employees say that job-related stress has had a negative impact on their wellbeing. For example, one-third of those surveyed said working out of hours affected their mental health, while almost one-quarter said working with little or no breaks had impacted their mental health.

The results of the survey were released to coincide with the launch of a new workplace framework, which aims to guide and equip employers and employees with the tools to understand and manage mental health challenges in the workplace.

The framework, Wellness Works: Your Framework for Progressing Mental Health in Your Workplace, will be officially launched at MHI’s workplace wellbeing webinar, ‘Mental Health in a New Working World’, on October 21.

The framework will be available freely from October 21 and training can be provided by MHI in 2023 to encourage managers, employees and business leaders to create a positive working environment and support employees who are facing mental health challenges.

The framework brings together the latest evidence and best practice in workplace mental health and it includes updates on the current status of mental health in the workplace and legal considerations.

According to MHI chief executive, Martin Rogan, taking care of our mental health can help to avoid burnout, disengagement, absenteeism and strained relationships in the workplace.

“Work plays an important role in all of our lives, supporting livelihoods and as a place where we can make a valued contribution, gain a sense of achievement as well as being a place for social connection. The past two years have changed the world of work forever and we must embrace this new reality,” he commented.

He insisted that in a competitive labour market, at a time of full employment, “employers understand that focusing on mental health in the workplace has never been more important”.

According to Sonia Rennicks, head of education, training and e-mental health with MHI, over the last five years, the charity noticed a pattern emerging from workplace training feedback which indicated that managers needed more specific knowledge and tools to help them support colleagues who are experiencing mental health challenges.

“Taking this as a starting point and building on the latest research on the risks to mental health in the workplace, we have created a workplace framework to support leaders and managers to protect and sustain their staff's mental health at work and respond supportively when a team member experiences a mental health challenge,” she explained.

She said that the framework will help managers to understand “the scope of their own responsibilities in relation to employee mental health”.

“Having clear boundaries like this can increase managers’ confidence, improve communications with employees who may be experiencing a mental health challenge and ultimately protect all parties. 

“The implementation of a workplace mental health policy can address some of the psychosocial risks that influence sick leave and absenteeism, which in turn will protect the organisation’s productivity and return on investment. Importantly, it can also serve as a visible pathway for colleagues returning to work who may have been absent due to mental health challenges,” Ms Rennicks added.

To register for the MHI workplace webinar on October 21, click here.