Image showing an Office Meeting with three sat at a table discussing matters with mugs and coffee cups and two stood at a pinboard behind placing more post-it notes on it

A new report published by Deloitte, one of the “Big Four” accounting organizations and the largest professional services network in the world, has made a positive case for employers investing in mental health, with an average return of £5 for every £1 spent.

The report – ‘Mental health and employers – Refreshing the case for investment’ – claims that a sixth of workers experience mental health problem at any one time.

Stress, anxiety and depression thought to be responsible for almost half of working days lost in Britain due to health issues, costing UK employers up to £45 billion annually. £29 billion is estimated to be attributed to presenteeism – where employees come to work when sick.

Whether absent from work or present while experiencing poor mental health, the business experiences productivity loss. It is estimated that the cost to a private sector employer, is an average of more than £1,100 per employee each year. In fact, Yorkshire and Humberside rank as one of the highest areas for cost, with an annual cost per employee being £1,578.

However, Deloitte’s research has found for every £1 invested in workplace mental health interventions, employers received £4 back. According to research by University of Warwick, addressing wellbeing at work increases productivity by up to 12%.

In recognition of the difference workplace mental health training can make to a business, NLT has launched two one-day NUCO-accredited courses.

First Aid for Mental Health Level 3 is for managers or supervisors, who have the power to make changes in the workplace and have the ability to support and help those individuals with mental health illnesses.

First Aid for Mental Health Level 2 is targeted at all levels of the workforce and is designed to give learners the knowledge to identify suspected mental health conditions in their colleagues.

Both courses will give attendees the skills needed to start a conversation with an individual and help create a positive mental health culture in any workplace.

Sarah Temperton, Chief Executive of NLT Training Services advised: “Businesses should view workplace mental health training as an investment rather than an expense and we have developed both these courses to reflect that.

“Good mental health practice exists in some organisations, but for the vast majority of employees the subject is still a no-go area. Undergoing training and having an integrated health and well-being strategy is a great first step to creating a healthy workplace.”

The courses also address one of the actions detailed in Business in the Community and Public Health England’s Mental Health Toolkit for Employers, specifically to ‘Develop mental health awareness among employees.’

The toolkit supports the implementation of six Mental Health Core Standards advocated in the Stevenson / Farmer Review of Mental Health and Employers, which are:

  • Produce, implement and communicate mental health at work plan
  • Develop mental health awareness among employees
  • Encourage open conversations about mental health and the support available when employees are struggling
  • Provide employees with good working conditions and ensure they have a healthy work life balance and opportunities for development
  • Promote effective people management through line managers and supervisors
  • Routinely monitor employee mental health and wellbeing

All the courses are offered at NLT’s Chesterfield and Scunthorpe sites. Learn more about the individual courses here or call 0333 880 3540 to make a booking.

To read the full Deloitte report, download it here