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Well Issue 3: Autumn/Winter 2003/04
Stigma and discrimination in the work place
The national anti-stigma campaign, "see me" is gearing up for phase two which will launch during Mental Health Week (6 - 10 October) with a whole new look. Following consultations with the various "see me" focus groups around Scotland, the new materials will show people's faces, which were hidden in the first series of advertisements, but will again feature ordinary people in everyday situations.
Campaign director, Linda Dunion, says: "We're moving away from the diagnostic labels of depressive and anorexic and so on, to focus more on the fact that people with mental health problems can get on with their lives. But we're maintaining our strategy of using real people to describe their experiences of stigma and discrimination. We've had a tremendous response to our appeal for individuals prepared to make their stories public and now have 70 people at different stages of the process."
The campaign, which was launched in October 2002, has highlighted various workplace mental health issues and Linda believes that, with a few simple changes, employers can make a huge difference in helping employees with mental health problems remain in the workforce:
"There's a tendency for employers to simply write someone off if they have a mental health problem," she says. "So employers need to be much better informed about mental health and at the very least be able to discuss individual employees' circumstances and support needs. If an employee developed a physical problem and had to attend hospital appointments for instance, then that would usually be discussed as a matter of course. So why should mental health be any different?
"Secondly, making a few simple practical adjustments in the workplace can often make a big difference. Perhaps someone needs more frequent breaks, or some changes to their workload. These things are simply good practice and are easily negotiated, but they could make all the difference to someone's ability to do the job."
Having a mental health problem, says Linda, can be a bit like talking about bereavement - people feel awkward and don't know what to say. Employers can set the tone by having a better understanding and awareness. If they create an open and supportive work environment then it's more likely that work colleagues won't feel embarrassed or fearful.
She adds: "These are simple changes which are easy to carry out and not expensive. Too many people end up out of work because of mental ill health and that is not in the interest of either the employee or employer."
Linda Dunion,
"see me..." campaign director
Tel: 0131 624 8945
www.seemescotland.org
Scottish Business in the Community (SBC) is Scotland's lead organisation in the expanding field of Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS), the set of values by which a company chooses to do businesses.
SBC are helping business become aware of mental health issues in the workplace primarily through the newly established Diversity Group. This Group is addressing employability and employment issues for people who have barriers to working from a private sector employer's perspective. Homelessness, physical disability, substance abuse and mental health issues are some of the areas addressed, with a recognition that mental health plays a major part in many of these issues.
There will be real benefits to the businesses involved including a reduction in staff turnover, the reputation of 'caring' employer, and a better understanding of how to serve markets that will undoubtedly include customers who themselves are dealing with mental health issues.
Karen Moore
Scottish Business in the Community
Tel: 0131 442 2020
www.sbcscot.com
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