Workers turn to antidepressants as recession takes its toll
Yorkshire and Humberside workers turn to antidepressants as recession takes its toll
Mind week 15-22 May 2010
Mind today presents compelling new evidence that the recession has had a devastating affect on the wellbeing of workers in Yorkshire and Humberside. The charity found that since the recession, 1 in 10 workers in the region have sought support from their doctors and 4% have started taking antidepressants for stress and mental health problems directly caused by the pressures of recession on their workplace. 48% of workers in Yorkshire and Humberside also said they are losing sleep as a result of the work place pressures, compared to a national average of 39%.
The findings, which launch Mind’s campaign Taking Care of Business, coincide with new government statistics showing the biggest rise in antidepressant prescriptions ever, with a record 39.1 million issued in 2009, up from 35.9 million in 2008.
Mind’s Populus poll of 2050 workers found that as a direct result of recession, of workers in Yorkshire and Humberside:
• 1 in 10 had visited their GP for support
• 4% had started a course of medical treatment for depression
• 4% had seen a counsellor
• Almost half said staff morale was low
• 27% were working longer hours
• A third said staff were having to compete against each other.
Mind’s findings prompt fears for the mental health of hundreds of thousands of workers who face debilitating pressure as businesses tighten their belts. Many staff are working longer hours, competing with colleagues to keep their jobs and facing a slump in morale.
HEY Mind’s CEO, Greg Aitkin says “In the busy modern day working world, it’s important that we recognise that mental health problems affect every workforce. Employers and employees need to stop seeing mental health problems as a sign of weakness and start finding solutions."
The recession may have exacerbated mental distress in the workplace but badly managed stress and workplace mental health problems are a long-standing issue in our workforce. Previous research has shown that every year, 1 in 6 people of working age experience a mental health problem and that 5 million people rate themselves as very or extremely stressed by their jobs.
Mind’s new research found that over the course of their careers, workers in Yorkshire and Humberside reported that:
• Almost 50% of people had lost sleep due to work
• 20% had developed depression
• 1 in 4 said that work stress had made them physically ill
• Almost a third had cried at work due to unmanageable pressure.
• Only 34% of workers think their employer is doing enough to support them.
Hull and East Yorkshire Mind can help with mental health issues in the workplace with our employment advisors, 1-to-1 support, specialist training and recruitment support. Please visit give us a call on 01482 240200.
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