Survey of Scots Reveals that a Quarter Don’t Feel Comfortable Talking About Mental Health At Work

Posted by See Me, 9 October 2019

A survey of Scots reveals just under a quarter (24%) don’t feel comfortable talking about mental health at work.

We're calling for employers to create cultures where workers feel confident to speak about how they’re feeling.

Their survey of 2005 adults in Scotland, carried out by Censuswide, also found that over one in ten (11%) would not recommend someone for a job if they had a mental health problem and less than half (48%) think that talking dismissively about mental health problems at work is definitely discriminatory.

Changing these attitudes and behaviours is vital to ensure people are not treated unfairly at work, and can reach out for help if they’re struggling.

Six employers who are leading the way in making a positive difference are Scotrail, Police Scotland North Division, Glasgow City Council, Bernardo’s Scotland, solicitors Burness Paull and energy support providers EnerMech.

They have all signed up to See Me’s workplace programme, to tackle mental health discrimination and improve mental health support in their organisations.

They are undertaking a four step programme to make continuous improvement to their culture, practice and policies, to benefit the 34,000 employees the organisations have in total.

They will join employers like the DWP in Glasgow, who signed up after one of their managers, Gary Macdonald, wanted to show that mental health problems can affect anyone. Mr Macdonald, who is a health and wellbeing manager for DWP in Glasgow, volunteered with See Me after struggling with his own mental health, and wanted to make a difference in his workplace.

He has also gone on to start his own men’s peer support group, to prevent suicides in Glasgow, and think’s that being able to speak freely at work is key.

He said: “From my experience I know it can be hard to talk in work, it’s not always easy to know who to open up to. Work can also be competitive and you don’t want people to think you’re not coping.

“You spend so much of your time at work. Sometimes you are there more than you are with your family. It could even be things at work that you are struggling with, so having people at work to speak to can really help.

“The worst case is that someone struggling with their mental health could consider suicide. To help stop that then we all need to feel comfortable talking.

“It all starts with eradicating the stigma. People think they can’t mention suicide, that it’s a terrifying thing to mention. But breaking down the stigma and encouraging people to talk, in a helpful, caring and supportive way, can make a difference.”

Martin Crewe is director of Barnardo’s Scotland, said: “The work that Barnardo’s Scotland undertakes with children, young people and families can be emotionally draining.  It is absolutely vital therefore that our staff feel confident that they are working in an emotionally healthy workplace where mental health is talked about openly. 

“With the assistance of See Me we are engaging with our staff across Scotland to try and make all aspects of working at Barnardo’s Scotland as positive as possible.”

Derek Cummings, director of Business Services at Burness Paull, said: “The health and wellbeing of everyone in the firm is vitally important, personally and professionally.

“Working with See Me has given us the confidence to talk more openly about mental health and helped us improve the support we provide to those that need it. We wouldn’t have got to where we are without the support and guidance of See Me.

“A practical example of the changes we’ve made is having trained Mental Health First Aiders in each office equipped with the skills to recognise, support and provide guidance to anyone who may be experiencing mental health issues. We are proud to support World Mental Health Day and to play our part in helping to end mental health stigma and discrimination”.

Ross McHardy, EnerMech’s European Regional Director said: “We are proud to be the first energy sector partner with See Me, working together to help end the stigma and discrimination of mental health in the workplace. Opening the conversation about mental health is key to ensure we support our staff, developing a caring and inclusive culture.”

Wendy Halliday, See Me director, said: “These stats show that not enough people feel comfortable talking about mental health at work, which can lead to people feeling like they have nowhere to go if they’re struggling.

“It’s important that in all areas of our lives we are able to say we’re not okay, especially in work. We’re delighted to see these major employers sign up, and take action today, to show that mental health discrimination cannot continue and create supportive cultures where people can ask for help.

“We would encourage everyone to do something today to let someone know they’re not alone if they’re struggling.”