Mental Health Promotion Interventions and Supports Provided by Voluntary Organisations to Workplaces

Introduction Promoting positive mental health and supporting people with mental disorders in the workplace is associated with improved health and wellbeing, reduced absenteeism, increased productivity and improved financial returns (World Health Organization [WHO], 2000). Investing in the mental health of the workforce is increasingly being recognised as being good for workers and for business. Promoting workers mental health and wellbeing leads to increased commitment and job satisfaction, improved productivity and performance, staff retention and reduced absenteeism (Health and Safety Executive, 2009; WHO Burton, 2010; World Economic Forum, 2016). Mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety, are the leading cause of sickness absence and long-term work incapacity in most developed countries (Joyce et al., 2016). The effects of stress and mental health problems in the workplace have significant impacts at an individual, organisational and societal level (WHO Burton, 2010). Mental health promotion in the workplace is a critical strategy in improving outcomes for both individual employees and the organisation as a whole. A mental health promotion approach brings a clear focus on the mental health potential of people and is concerned with achieving positive mental health and wellbeing by strengthening protective factors for good mental health, enhancing supportive environments and enabling access to resources and life opportunities for individuals and communities that will promote their social and emotional wellbeing (Barry et al., 2019). Reviews of the evidence suggest that an effective workplace health improvement policy should include: promoting the mental health and wellbeing of all staff (promoting resources for positive mental health and reducing or eliminating stress), offering support and assistance to workers experiencing mental health problems in the workplace, and adopting a positive approach to employing and re-integrating workers with a history of mental health problems (Harvey et al., 2014). A strategic and coordinated approach to promoting employees mental health is therefore required, including adopting a comprehensive organisation-wide approach, working in partnership with key stakeholders in integrating mental health in all workplace policies and practices concerning managing people, employment Page 6 of 162 rights, and working conditions (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence [NICE], 2009). Policy at a national level is consistent with the approach advocated by the WHO. Irelands Sharing the Vision mental health policy identifies workplaces as a key setting for progressing policy objectives, recognising a core role for the voluntary and community sector (Department of Health, 2020; p. 19). The National Healthy Workplace Framework (forthcoming), links with Irelands overarching national health and wellbeing policy, Healthy Ireland (Department of Health, 2013). The framework is underpinned by a comprehensive consultation from which it emerged that mental health in the workplace is a priority issue. Participants emphasised the role the workplace can play in both the creation of positive mental health and also in facilitating recovery from mental ill-health (McAvoy et al., 2018). The approaches advocated in the National Healthy Workplace Framework and within Sharing the Vision are consistent with the approach taken in Connecting for Life, the National Strategy to Reduce Suicide (National Office for Suicide Prevention [NOSP], 2015), which recognises the need for a whole-of-government approach, working with a range of sectors and organisations, including workplaces and the community and voluntary sector. Mental health voluntary organisations are an important resource for workplaces, providing expertise in awareness-raising and stigma-reduction and addressing specific mental health topics. As such, voluntary organisations have a critical role in progressing the actions identified in Sharing the Vision, and in being part of the whole-of-government approach advocated within Connecting for Life. Mental health organisations in the voluntary sector offer a variety of supports and interventions to address mental health issues in the workplace and there is currently a significant demand from employers for support with aspects of mental wellbeing. However, we do not have a comprehensive picture of the nature of supports and interventions that are being requested, offered or provided to workplaces by mental health voluntary organisations, and how these align with models of international best practice.