"With the number of ways to offer mental wellbeing support, options at every level, and the huge benefits it brings, we would encourage every employer to offer it."
- Debra Clark, head of wellbeing at Towergate Health & Protection
Ahead of World Mental Health Day, Towergate Health & Protection has highlighted key areas where more can be done to support employees struggling with their mental health and wellbeing. Of those surveyed (500), 70% of large corporates provide support for mental health and wellbeing while only 49% of SMEs and 37% of micro companies offer support. These findings differ by industry, with companies in the construction industry remaining least likely to provide support for mental health (43%) compared to 80% of employees in healthcare.
Considering that the message for this year’s World Mental Health Day is ‘mental health is a universal human right’, Towergate believes the workplace should be focused on since it provides “an ideal environment for a large number of people to be provided with the chance to improve their mental wellbeing and to be given mental health support if needed.”
The intermediary emphasised that there are various options available for employers to support mental health, including self-help apps that promote mental wellbeing as an “entry level to providing support.” This can be enhanced by digital tools and counselling which are often available through an employee assistance programme (EAPs). Likewise, these programmes could include the introduction of mental health first aiders and wider wellbeing initiatives.
Commenting on these findings, Debra Clark, head of wellbeing at Towergate Health & Protection, has said:
“Everyone should be given access to mental health support at work, regardless of the size of the company or the industry in which they are based. With the number of ways to offer mental wellbeing support, options at every level, and the huge benefits it brings, we would encourage every employer to offer it.”
