Workers Turning to Antidepressants as Recession Takes Its Toll
Put on a happy face from Mind Charity on Vimeo.
Mental health charity Mind has found that one in 10 workers has sought support from their GPs and that 7% have started taking antidepressants for stress and mental health problems directly linked to the pressures of the Recession on the workplace.
New Government statistics also show that a record 39.1 million antidepressant prescriptions were issued during 2009, the highest figure ever.
Launched as part of the charity’s new ‘Taking Care of Business’ campaign, the poll of 2,050 workers found that, because of the current economic climate, one in 10 had visited their GP for support, 7% had started a course of medical treatment for depression while 5% – one in 20 – had seen a counsellor.
The findings have prompted fears for the mental health of hundreds of thousands of workers as businesses tighten their belts and staff find they are working longer hours, competing with colleagues to keep their jobs and facing a slump in morale.
Dragon’s Den entrepreneur Duncan Bannatyne said: “The recession will really have an impact on many employees who are a bit insecure in their jobs, who maybe aren’t sure that the company is doing well and are scared in case the company goes into administration, or redundancies are made. It’s a very anxious time. However, the recession is also a good time for businesses to be working on promoting good staff wellbeing. You’ve got to look after your staff. If you haven’t got staff, you haven’t got a business. It’s as simple as that.”
Mind’s Chief Executive Paul Farmer added: “Working conditions have been incredibly tough for the last couple of years, and the emotional fall out of the recession doesn’t just centre on people who have lost their jobs, but on people who are struggling to cope with the extra demands of working harder, longer hours, and under more pressure as their employers battle for survival. It is more important than ever that businesses look at how they can manage stress levels and improve the working environment for all their employees.
“Investing in wellbeing doesn’t have to be expensive, and businesses who look after their staff reap the rewards in reduced sickness absence and increased productivity,” Paul added. “Small changes can have big results, such as making sure staff take their breaks and making time to listen to their concerns. Not investing in wellbeing can be damaging to staff and eat into the success of a business. No employer can afford to ignore mental health.”
MORE: Mind Week 15-22 May 2010. www.mind.org.uk