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Make change that lasts
Let’s face it, many businesses view mental health initiatives as a nice thing to have rather than a priority. But did you know the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), believes ISO 45001 and ISO 45003 have the potential to save almost three million lives each year? Proactively managing mental health as well as physical health and making it an important part of your business is not only the right thing to do, it’s key to resilience, success and the future of your business.
A valuable difference
Mental health research from Deloitte revealed the total cost of poor mental health to employers has increased by 25% since 2019, costing UK employers up to £56 billion a year. So as an employer, where do you start? Well, there’s good news too, organisations that invest in improving mental wellbeing see increases in productivity and a decrease in costs. In fact, according to Deloitte, for every £1 spent on employee wellbeing, employers make £5.30 back.
This Mental Health Awareness Week we’re looking at how you better manage mental health in your workplace with the Standard designed to do just that.
Mental Health Awareness Week
Mental Health Awareness Week takes place every year in May and this year it runs from 15 May to 21 May. Organised by the Mental Health Foundation, one of the UK’s leading charities, it’s one of the biggest awareness weeks and a key opportunity to see what you can do better to support your employees.
The official theme for 2023’s Mental Health Awareness Week is Anxiety. Anxiety is something we’re all likely to experience but for many, it can get out of control. It’s one of the most common mental health problems and can affect us physically and mentally. Let’s look at some stats:
- 60% of employees are experiencing anxiety*
- Only 10% of employees are seeking mental health support*
- There were an estimated 914,000 cases of work-related stress, depression, or anxiety in 2021/22**.
- An estimated 17 million working days were lost due to work-related stress, depression, or anxiety in 2012/22**.
ISO 45003 – a world first
ISO 45003 is the world’s first international Standard to address mental health in the workplace. It features practical guidance to help employers identify and manage psychological risks to workers and build a positive work environment.
With ISO 45003 you can show you prioritise the mental wellbeing of your employees, cut absenteeism, boost productivity and enhance the reputation of your company.
ISO 45003 brings a much-needed focus on mental wellbeing and builds on ISO 45001 and managing Health & Safety risks in the workplace with an Occupational Health & Safety management system. And the great thing about ISO 45003 is it can be easily combined with any other ISO and it pairs perfectly with ISO 45001 so you can identify physical and psychological health risks to your employees at the same time with one system. Occupational Health & Safety is also a key part of businesses showing commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investment so showing you prioritise the mental health and wellbeing of your employees shows you care and says a lot about your business.
If you want to make change that lasts this Mental Health Awareness Week, why not learn more about ISO 45003 from our friendly team – call us on 0333 344 3646 or email [email protected].
*Champion Health: The Workplace Health Report 2023
** The Health and Safety Executive
