World Mental Health Day 2014: Britain's Top Companies Urged To Sign Pledge To Stamp Out Stigma | HuffPost Life

How Britain's Biggest Companies Can Stamp Out Mental Health Stigma

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Some of Britain's biggest companies have been urged to sign up for a campaign which aims to stamp out mental health discrimination in the workplace.

Every single FTSE 100 company - including Barclays, Marks and Spencer and Royal Mail - have been asked to sign up to the Time to Change pledge, which aims to develop an action plan for tackling mental health stigma.

This coincides with World Mental Health Day.

Meanwhile, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt is to announce plans for a "data revolution" to drive up standards on mental health care in the NHS, with performance data to be published online.

Mental health problems are the largest cause of disability in the UK and cost the economy an estimated £100 billion a year, the Department of Health (DoH) said.

A recent report by the Chief Medical Officer Dame Sally Davies suggested 70 million working days were lost to mental illness last year, it added.

More than 240 employers have pledged to tackle mental health discrimination including the Bank of England, the Royal Mail, Procter and Gamble, Barclays and Marks and Spencer.

All government departments have also signed the Time to Change pledge - meaning almost half a million employees will benefit, the DoH said.

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Health minister Norman Lamb said: "I am determined mental health is treated with as much importance as physical health by the NHS and society as a whole. The Time to Change pledge is an important driver in making this a reality.

"Recognising the importance of good mental health can improve colleague engagement, reduce absenteeism and enhance overall productivity and we therefore encourage other companies to join us in signing the Time to Change pledge."

In a speech at the Royal College of Psychiatrists today, Mr Hunt will announce that the first data on mental health services will be published on the website My NHS to let patients, families and staff know how their services are performing.

The Health Secretary will also ask Sir Simon Wessely, president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, to create a dedicated group of mental health experts to identify best practice.

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Common Mental Health Myths

You Are Not Sick (01 of11)

MYTH: Bipolar disorder just means mood swingsFACT: Bipolar disorder is an illness with severe mood swings. Often, bipolar can interfere with one’s daily functioning, and sometimes can even lead to suicide, according to Dr. Prakash Masand, a psychiatrist and president of Global Medical Education. (credit:Gettystock )

Am I Cured?(02 of11)

MYTH: Once you feel better you can stop taking your medicationFACT: Almost all patients with psychiatric illness need maintenance treatment for a while, even if they start "feeling better." Masand says this is to prevent relapses and recurrences, similar to diabetes and heart disease patients. (credit:Gettystock Gettystock )

Your Relationship Is To Blame(03 of11)

MYTH: Psychiatric illness is a result of bad relationshipsFACT: All psychiatric illnesses have a genetic component and an environmental component, Masand says. A bad relationship, for example, is only one of several factors. (credit:Gettystock )

You Can't Handle It (04 of11)

MYTH: Psychiatric illnesses are due to weak character or inadequate coping skillsFACT: Psychiatric illnesses are medical illnesses with several origins like all other illnesses, Masand says. Just because you cry easily or can't cope with personal problems, it doesn't make you weak or more likely to be mentally ill. (credit:Gettystock )

It Will Go Away (05 of11)

MYTH: Depression is just sadness that will go awayFACT: Depression is a serious medical illness with morbidity and mortality, Masand says. Not all people show obvious signs of being depressed either. While some seek medication or go to therapy to cope, Masand says others try exercise, yoga or meditation. On the flip side, if someone is often sad or emotional, it doesn't necessarily mean they are depressed. (credit:Gettystock )

You Won't Have A 'Normal' Life (06 of11)

MYTH: Once you have depression or bipolar disorder, you will never achieve your full potential or live a 'normal' life FACT: Some of the most successful people in various fields have had depression or bipolar disorder, including Isaac Newton, Beethoven, Brad Pitt and Oprah Winfrey, Masand says. People who go through a mental illness may also feel they can't ever get back to a "normal life." This is another myth. Someone with a mental illness can still function, go to work, raise a family or perform any other task. (credit:Gettystock )

Suicide Isn't Really A Big Problem(07 of11)

MYTH: Suicide is not a big problem in our societyFACT: You may not know someone who has committed suicide, but this doesn't mean it doesn't happen. In 2009, for example, suicide accounted for 3,890 deaths in Canada among both genders, and according to Statistics Canada, mental illness is the most important risk factor. In the U.S., Masand says suicide was the 10th leading cause of death in 2007. (credit:Gettystock )

If You Seek Help, You Are Weak (08 of11)

MYTH: Treatment for psychiatric illness is a cop-out for weak peopleFACT: Treatment is necessary for psychiatric illnesses like it is for other medical illnesses, such as diabetes and heart disease, Masand says. This myth is also commonly believed because finding help or telling people close to you about your illnesses can also lead to shaming and embarrassment. (credit:Gettystock )

They Are Just 'Crazy'(09 of11)

MYTH: All patients with schizophrenia are dangerousFACT: If you've ever seen schizophrenia or mental health portrayed in mainstream media, you might just think everyone who is mentally ill is "crazy." Only a small proportion of patients with schizophrenia can be violent and this is usually because they are untreated, Masand says. (credit:Gettystock )

Just Get Over It (10 of11)

MYTH: Talk therapy is just whining FACT: Several types of talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, can be just as effective as medication in treating depression and anxiety disorders. (credit:Gettystock )

Blame ADHD (11 of11)

MYTH: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a new way to explain bad behaviourFACT: ADHD is a psychiatric illness with a well-described constellation of symptoms and proven treatments. And while common symptoms of ADHD include difficulty paying attention or procrastination, people may also self-diagnose their children with ADHD because of bad behaviour, according to SheKnows.com (credit:Gettystock )

The data will highlight where one trust appears to be performing significantly better than others in areas such as patient experience and care planning for a crisis, the DoH said.

It will also address suicide and self-harm prevention after it was disclosed some trusts were not following up discharged patients quickly enough, with follow-up rates ranging from 40% to 96%, it added.

Mr Hunt will also discuss plans to ensure people with mental health problems have a named clinician responsible for their care and the extension of funding for the Time to Change programme for a further year.

He will say: "I am proud this government legislated for the first time for parity of esteem between physical and mental health services.

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"But however noble the ambition, parity of esteem is meaningless if it doesn't change the experience of actual people with actual mental health conditions.

"We are today confirming this Government's determination to complete that journey."

Deputy Prime Minster Nick Clegg has encouraged people to help family or friends with mental health problems and said even a text or phone call can make a "massive difference".

He said: "You don't need to be a health expert or politician to do your bit. A quick chat over a cup of tea, a supportive text or phone call or a friendly word to ask if everything's okay - today, all these things could make a massive difference.

"So, if you know someone struggling with a mental health problem, pop on the kettle or pick up your phone now - let's give them the support they need to live the life they want."

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