Work issues a factor in mental health problems for over one third, survey finds

More than a third of respondents to a psychological survey say work-related issues are a contributory factor to mental health problems.
Ahead of World Mental Health Day on Thursday, St Patrick’s Mental Health Services is focusing on how workplace mental health needs to be “prioritised”.
The annual survey titled Annual Attitudes to Mental Health and Stigma, which covers a nationally representative sample of some 1,000 adults, revealed that 37 per cent of respondents cited work-related issues as impacting on them psychologically.
A further 47 per cent were not aware that employers are obliged to provide reasonable accommodations for staff experiencing mental health difficulties, while 42 per cent would “not be okay” explaining to their boss that they needed time off for a mental health difficulty.
Thirty-nine per cent do not believe that someone who experiences panic attacks could work as head of a large company.
Almost half – or 52 per cent – of respondents believe workplaces in Ireland “are not open to employing people with mental health difficulties”.
SPMHS is Ireland’s largest independent, not-for-profit mental health service provider. It is seeking to encourage employers and employees to familiarise themselves with supports available along with the rights of workers experiencing mental health difficulties.
Although the findings reveal there is more to be done to create open workplace cultures without mental health stigma or discrimination, services say attitudes have been “gradually improving and stigma increasingly challenged” over the years, according to the organisation.
This is highlighted in the survey as 26 per cent of people said they have had a colleague “disclose a mental health difficulty to them”, whereas this figure stood at just 14 per cent five years previously.
Speaking about this year’s World Mental Health Day theme, Paul Gilligan, CEO of St Patrick’s Mental Health Services, said: “wellbeing is central to our health and a core human right” that everyone should have the chance to enjoy.
“Work plays a key role in our wellbeing, and is an important source of esteem, identity and fulfilment,” he added.
The survey also indicated that almost half of respondents are not aware of their right to reasonable accommodations for mental health difficulties in the workplace. Examples of reasonable accommodations can include time off to attend mental healthcare appointments, flexible working hours or a modified schedule or a phased return to work.