Mental health - Admitting to an illness risks career

THERE is an alarming level of mental health illness in the workforce in Ireland, judging by one of the most detailed surveys ever made.

Worryingly, it seems as many as one in six employees, who admitted having experienced mental ill health in the last two years, may be jeopardising their career.

According to the findings, two out of three bosses openly admit that if they knew an employee had a mental health difficulty they would probably reduce their level of work-related responsibilities.

Yet, ironically, employees are more likely to tell the boss rather than a colleague if they were suffering from mental ill-health. Doubtlessly reflecting the growing stress of the workplace, the survey found a higher level of mental health than seen in earlier surveys, including a national suicide prevention study.

Clearly, there is urgent need for initiatives to improve the employment scenario for people recovering from a bout of mental ill health.