At Salusphere Global, we are deeply committed to fostering healthier, happier workplaces. Having thoroughly reviewed Deloitte’s 2024 report on mental health and employers, we want to highlight the crucial insights presented by Elizabeth Hampson (Life Sciences and Health Innovation Partner at Deloitte Consulting & Leader of Deloitte’s European Health Equity Institute), Sarah Hughes (CEO Mind), and Catherine Roche (CEO Place2B). Their contributions underscore the importance of creating supportive environments that prioritise mental wellbeing, not just for employees, but for their families too.
Key Takeaway:
- The Value of a Mentally Healthy Workplace: As Elizabeth Hampson emphasises, a mentally healthy workplace isn’t just ethical, it’s essential for sustainable business success. Organisations thrive when leaders prioritise mental health, eliminate stigma, and provide tailored support for diverse employee needs.
- The Cost of Inaction: Sarah Hughes brings attention to the financial and cultural implications of neglecting mental health. Poor mental health costs UK employers £51 billion annually, with presenteeism being the largest contributor. Investing in mental health, however, yields significant returns, on average, £4.70 for every £1 spent.
- Supporting Families Matters: Catherine Roche highlights the interconnectedness of employees’ personal and professional lives. Concerns about children’s mental health can significantly impact parental productivity and stress levels. Supporting families, she argues, is a powerful way for businesses to foster resilience and drive organisational growth.
- The Case for Investment: Deloitte’s data makes a compelling case for proactive investment in mental health. Universal interventions (e.g., culture shifts and awareness campaigns) deliver the highest ROI of £6.30 for every £1 spent, demonstrating the economic and social value of prioritising wellbeing.
At Salusphere Global, we echo Deloitte’s findings and advocate for action. Investing in mental health is not just a business decision; it’s a commitment to creating thriving communities inside and outside the workplace. Together, we can build a future where mental wellbeing is at the heart of every organisation
Summary of Elizabeth Hampson’s Foreword (Deloitte 2024 Report)
Elizabeth Hampson emphasises the critical role of mental health in the workplace, highlighting its dual importance as both a moral responsibility and a driver of business success. While progress has been made, with improved perceptions of mental health among working adults since the last report, challenges persist, particularly for children and young people, whose mental health has significantly worsened.
For working parents, concerns over their children’s mental health add to the complexities of balancing work and family life. Nearly half of parents are worried about their child’s mental wellbeing, with many reporting that it impacts their work performance. This underscores the need for employers to support both employees and their families to mitigate the broader impact on business.
Hampson calls for leaders to prioritise mental health, break down stigmas, and offer tailored support for diverse employee needs. By doing so, businesses can not only improve individual wellbeing but also enhance productivity, engagement, and overall workplace culture. The report aims to inspire organisations to invest in creating mentally healthy environments for their employees and their families.
Summary of Sarah Hughes’ Foreword (Deloitte 2024 Report)
Sarah Hughes celebrates the progress made by UK employers in addressing workplace mental health, with a noted 8% reduction in costs associated with poor mental health since 2021. This improvement reflects growing employer efforts to prioritise mental wellbeing. However, challenges remain, particularly in supporting working parents navigating the dual pressures of work and their children’s mental health.
She highlights the interconnectedness of work, family life, and mental health, emphasising that concerns over children’s wellbeing significantly impact parental productivity and stress levels. Hughes calls for a holistic approach, where employers support not only employees but also their families.
By signing initiatives like the Mental Health at Work Commitment, employers can join a collective movement to foster mentally healthy workplaces. Hughes underscores that investing in mental health is not just ethical but also critical for building resilient communities and thriving organisations. She urges continued momentum to ensure mental health remains a top priority in workplaces.
Summary of Catherine Roche’s Foreword (Deloitte 2024 Report)
Catherine Roche underscores the importance of fostering safe and supportive environments for mental health, drawing parallels between Place2Be’s work in schools and the workplace. She highlights the growing mental health challenges among children, with one in five in England experiencing a probable mental health disorder. These issues significantly impact working parents, often affecting their ability to perform at work.
Roche stresses the responsibility of employers to support not only their employees but also their families. By creating mentally healthy workplaces, businesses can contribute to thriving communities both at work and in society. She applauds organisations like Deloitte for their dedication to advancing awareness and solutions for mental health issues.
Investing in mental wellbeing, she argues, is both morally and economically sound, offering benefits that extend beyond the workplace to positively impact employees’ broader lives. Roche calls on employers to take meaningful action, promoting a culture that nurtures and celebrates mental health.
Summary of Deloitte’s 2024 Report on Mental Health and Employers
Why Employers Should Strive for a Mentally Healthy Workplace:
Good mental health positively impacts employee engagement, productivity, and overall wellbeing.
Employers are pivotal in addressing workplace mental health by creating supportive environments and eliminating stigma.
A mentally healthy workplace fosters trust, resilience, and job satisfaction, enhancing talent retention and brand recognition.
Cost to Employers of Poor Mental Health:
Poor mental health costs UK employers approximately £51 billion annually, primarily due to:
Presenteeism: £24 billion (largest contributor).
Absenteeism: £7 billion.
Staff Turnover: £20 billion.
Concerns over children’s mental health add an additional £8 billion in annual costs, with significant impacts on working parents’ productivity and absenteeism.
Mental health challenges are exacerbated by external stressors like the rising cost of living and job insecurity.
The Case for Investment:
Employers investing in mental health see an average return of £4.7 for every £1 spent.
Universal Interventions (e.g. awareness and culture shifts): Average ROI of £6.3 for every £1 spent.
Proactive Interventions (e.g. early-stage support): Average ROI of £4.2 for every £1 spent.
Reactive Interventions (e.g. support after issues arise): Average ROI of £4.1 for every £1 spent.
Screening and targeted interventions yield high returns (e.g., £5.9 for every £1 invested).
Investment in digital tools and training programs is cost-effective, improving accessibility and employee uptake
The Case for Investment:
Proactively supporting mental health mitigates business disruptions, enhances productivity, and aligns with employee expectations.
Targeting high-risk groups, such as working parents, amplifies returns and reduces turnover-related costs.
Investing in workplace mental health is not just ethical but also financially sound, with clear evidence of both economic and cultural benefits.
Key Insights and Actions for Employers:
Eliminate Stigma: Foster a culture of openness and support around mental health.
Support Working Parents: Address challenges stemming from children’s mental health, as they impact productivity and retention.
Implement Targeted Programs: Use screening, training, and digital tools to enhance employee access to mental health resources.
Invest Strategically: Focus on interventions with proven high ROI, such as awareness campaigns and early detection programs.
This report underscores the critical role of employers in creating sustainable, mentally healthy workplaces for both employees and their families.
Conclusion:
Promoting workplace mental health is both a moral and business imperative. Employers who act decisively will realise not only financial benefits but also create thriving, resilient, and inclusive work environments.
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