Mental health as a cause of long-term sickness

The relationship between mental health and unemployment is no directional. Good mental health is a positive influential factor on employability . Unemployment causes - stress , anxiety, low self esteem , financial crisis and poverty cycle , which is difficult to break . The Kings fund has published data - more than 4 million people in England with long term physical health conditions have mental health problems.

We have just been at the tail end of Covid-19 pandemic , the inflation rate is soaring at a double digit , the rise in living crisis and increasing poverty is increasing long term illness.

Your ability to work is strongly linked to your mental and physical well-being . The lack of specialist secondary care mental health support is key. Years of funding cuts have now left us with a failing service .

HSE data shows that stress, anxiety and depression have been leading causes of workplace sickness absence for several years. Rates have increased further since the COVID-19 pandemic and are at their highest level since the 1990s. Ongoing instabilities within the job market, the cost of living crisis and global threats such as climate change add to the daily pressures people experience and create fear and uncertainty about the future. This increases people's vulnerability to stress and more serious ongoing mental health problems.

However, increased awareness means individuals and organisations are identifying mental health problems more readily too. Our work with organisations shows increased concern by employers about employee well-being and more measures being put in place to detect and address mental health issues.

Physical and mental health are inextricably linked. Think about how you perform if you’re feeling down – inability to focus/concentrate, feeling anxious/worried. All of these affect your physical health and performance (at work) Those with longterm physical problems may have mental health issues as a result but equally vice versa – severe mental illness impacts your physical wellbeing. Inability to sleep/palpitations/tremors etc are all symptoms of anxiety/depression. The spiralling increase in mental illness is caused eg Lack of job opportunities/Poor living conditions/Cost of living etc And most important recent lockdown. But this is compounded by toxic workplace who pooh pooh mental illness and often have the attitude of “just get on with it”. We need a more compassionate approach with provision of pastoral care in workplaces.

As our brain and body are connected, any challenges impacting our mental health will influence our physical health. Medical professionals recognise an increase in health challenges where no biological issue can be identified. Treatments are more likely to consider psychological and emotional support to improve health outcomes, as well as ensuring people can function across areas of their life, including home and employment.
Employers have a duty of care to support staff wellbeing, with companies having workplace mental health initiatives to support their staff and reduce underperformance or absences. Adopting compulsory mental health workshops facilitated by professionals & encouraging voluntary activities or connection with local communities during work time will all enhance the physical & mental wellbeing of employees.