Open Up
Healthy Minds.
Healthy Business.
Mental wellbeing affects us every day. Especially at work, but we don’t often make it a priority or understand the connection with our physical health, which needs to change.
Did you know people with a long-term physical condition are two to three times more likely to develop a mental health problem?1
That’s why we want to share our commitment. It’s time we all opened up and made mental health a normal topic of conversation in the workplace. Listen to our business leaders share their experiences for a heads up on mental wellbeing so you can get the conversation started with your team.
Mental health issues like stress, anxiety and depression are common
Only half of people who struggle with mental health issues speak to their managers about it.2
still consider mental health to be a taboo subject in the workplace.3
employees think that they are better off suffering in silence.3
Mental ill health is now the primary cause of long-term sickness absence for one in five UK organisations.4
We believe being open about mental wellbeing in the workplace is crucial. Everyone has an individual mental wellbeing story and we want our teams to feel that they can share theirs. Here are some of our employees sharing theirs – together we can break the silence.
Encouraging your employees to talk about their mental health might feel tricky at first, but creating an open and honest atmosphere will help your employees to feel comfortable to #OpenUp.
“A huge part of my recovery is owed to my manager and my colleagues. At first I wasn’t sure if I should be open with them but in hindsight I shouldn’t have worried. The support was incredible.”
Joshua’s story
How are we encouraging our teams to #OpenUp?
1. Education
Our online learning and development area is home to information around the signs of mental health issues, suicide awareness and the top five mental health problems that affect colleagues.
2. Conversation
We run company-wide campaigns that encourage employees to freely express their feelings and speak openly about mental health.
3. Training
- Mental health first aid
- Line managers guide
- Performance energy training
4. Support and treatment
- 24/7 telephone counselling
- Online cognitive behavioural therapy
- Face-to-face counselling
Want advice on talking about mental wellbeing with your team? Take a look over our guide for managers.
Discover more information about workplace mental wellbeing
The most extensive business mental health insurance†
We’ve opened up our cover to help more people get the support they need. It’s called the Business Mental Health Advantage
†As of June 2020, this analysis is based on internally conducted review of the consumer, SME and Corporate health insurance markets using publicly available information from the major insurers in the UK consumer health insurance market. Combined, Bupa, AXA PPP, Aviva, Cigna and Vitality hold approximately 90-93% of the Gross Written Premium income of UK PMI providers. Refers to standard mental health cover when this is included in the selected health insurance or health trust product. We acknowledge that schemes can have bespoke benefits.
Listen to our podcasts today
Supporting your colleagues with their mental health
Listen to our conversation with Dr Bill Mitchell about the most important factors to remember around how to support a colleague who may be struggling with their mental health.
What it means to be a mental health first aider
Discover how our employees have become mental health first aiders and what the training involves.
Supporting your team’s mental health: 10 tips for managers
One in six of your team members are likely to be affected by a mental health problem at any given time.6 So as their line manager, how can you tell which of your staff might be in need of your support?
Each of us has a responsibility for looking after our own mental health, but managers can make a big difference by being aware of how their team might be feeling, and looking out for signs that someone might benefit from assistance.
Having a conversation with a colleague who might be struggling
Stress, depression and anxiety are responsible for about 14 million days of sick leave each year in the UK. And this just goes to show how common mental health problems are in the workplace. All of us can make a difference by looking out for our colleagues, and being there for them if they seem to be having a hard time.
Cover for your team’s mind and body
Small business owner?
2-250 employees? Call our friendly team on 0808 231 6199 for more information or get a guide price online.
Looking for health insurance for over 250 employees?
What’s next?
Request a callback
0808 273 6889 ^
References
- 1. Mind - Mental health in primary care, June 2016
- 2. https://www.mind.org.uk/news-campaigns/news/half-of-workers-have-experienced-poor-mental-health-in-current-job/
- 3. https://www.michaelpage.co.uk/advice/management-advice/development-and-retention/mental-health-all-managers
- 4. CIPD Health and Wellbeing at Work, Survey Report, May 2018.
- 5. Accenture. It's not 1 in 4; it's all of us: why mental health touches everyone. (PDF, 7.4MB). Published 2018.
- 6. Managing and supporting mental health at work: disclosure tools for managers. Mind. www.mind.org.uk. Published December 2011.
- 7. Business in the Community. Mental Health at Work Report 2017. National Employee Mental Wellbeing Survey Findings. wellbeing.bitc.org.uk, published 2017
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Bupa health insurance is provided by Bupa Insurance Limited. Registered in England and Wales No. 3956433. Bupa Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Arranged and administered by Bupa Insurance Services Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England and Wales No. 3829851. Registered office: 1 Angel Court, London, EC2R 7HJ.
