Credit crunch affects workers’ mental health

07/08/2008

The economic downturn is having such a stressful effect on employees, it is likely to damage their mental health, a charity has warned.

The combined effects of plummeting share prices, job cuts, and fuel prices could lead to a ‘sharp increase’ in the incidence of mental ill health conditions in UK workforces, the Shaw Trust said today.

To help businesses to combat mental health problems among their employees, the trust has set up a website, tacklementalhealth.org.uk, offering guidance including advice to talk openly with employees, create a no-blame culture, and ensure staff take adequate lunch breaks.

The website also urges employers to create a ‘pleasant’ working environment by adding plants and pictures, ensuring staff feel able to give feedback during meetings and appraisals, and being positive about offering adjustments to working patterns for people who need it.

Tim Cooper, the trust’s managing director, said stress is becoming a major problem affecting workers across the UK.

“Every day we are hearing new reports on the increasing strain employees are being placed under with increasing pressures to meet targets coupled with fears around redundancy at work and having to juggle the increasing cost of living in the home.”

“Any one of these concerns is likely to increase stress levels but combined they will almost certainly result in a stark increase in anxiety, which can in turn act as a trigger for a variety of mental health conditions.

“Employers can help by being aware of the early warning signs and creating a more relaxed atmosphere at work to help ease some of the strain.”