Mental health misconceptions are causing one in four UK workers to delay seeking help, according to a new report by Bupa and Mental Health First Aid.
The study examined employeesโ understanding of key psychological and behavioural symptoms of six of the most prevalent mental health conditions in the UK, as well as identifying widely-held misconceptions.
Industry figures show that 70 million working days are lost each year due to mental health problems in the UK. The research reveals that inaccurate assumptions have caused almost seven million people to delay seeking support for a mental health problem. Early diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions can improve recovery rates, which is why medical experts at Bupa want to raise awareness of the accurate symptoms of mental health conditions.
Bipolar is the most misunderstood mental health condition with 85 per cent of people unable to identify the most common symptoms of feeling sad, hopeless and irritable, lacking energy, and difficulty concentrating. Further symptoms include elevated mood, and hyperactivity. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are also commonly misunderstood by the majority of employees.
However, nine out of 10 (91 per cent) are able to identify the key symptoms of depression and almost half (49 per cent) are able to recognise the most common signs of anxiety such as restlessness, a sense of dread or insomnia โ a positive for the three million people who experience anxiety in the UK.
The study also highlights how the people we work with impact our understanding of mental health, with a quarter (24 per cent) of employees being influenced by their colleagues and their organisationโs mental health policy (22 per cent).
โMental health is one of the biggest challenges businesses face today, so itโs encouraging to see that general awareness of these issues is improving,โ said Pablo Vandenabeele, Clinical Director for Mental Health at Bupa UK. โHowever itโs clear that many people still would not recognise the symptoms of specific conditions in their colleagues. A better understanding of mental health conditions would help people to identify whether they or a colleague needs support more quickly, which can significantly improve outcomes.โ
The findings show that general awareness of mental health issues have improved amongst nearly three quarters of workers (72 per cent) over the last five years. However, greater understanding of the specific signs and symptoms is needed as six in 10 (59 per cent) do not know the main traits of specific conditions, and would not recognise mental ill-health in a colleague.
Mental health misconceptions commonly held by employees include:
- OCD is about โliking things neat and tidyโ (85 per cent)
- PTSD involves being โviolentโ (57 per cent)
- Anxiety is โbeing afraid to go outsideโ (57 per cent)
- People with mental health problems โspend more time at homeโ (49 per cent)
The most misunderstood mental health conditions in the workplace*
- Bipolar (85 per cent)
- OCD (75 per cent)
- PTSD (54 per cent)
* Percentages relate to thoseunable to identify the three main symptoms/behaviours
Top 3 symptoms of the most common mental health conditions
- Anxiety:Restlessness; a sense of dread; insomnia
- Bipolar:Feeling sad, hopeless or irritable; lacking energy; difficulty concentrating or remembering
- Depression:Continuous low mood or sadness; feeling hopeless or helpless; low self-esteem
- OCD:Obsessive thoughts or urges; feelings of anxiety or distress; repetitive behaviours or thoughts
- Phobias:Sweating; trembling; hot flushes or chills
- PTSD:Flashbacks; nightmares; irritability
Fionuala Bonnar, Chief Operating Officer for Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England, added:โIntervening in a mental health issue early can help us get on a path to recover, or manage symptoms at the earliest possible opportunity, which has the potential to improve our lives, both socially and emotionally. Educating people to be mental health aware is the first step to encourage early intervention, but as Bupaโs research reveals, there is a deeper knowledge needed if we are to improve outcomes for those affected by mental ill health.
โTo drive change, MHFA England is working to train one in ten of the population in Mental Health First Aid, which is evidenced to increase knowledge of common mental health issues, and confidence in offering support on a first aid basis. Our vision is to create a society where people are skilled to be able to look after their own and otherโs wellbeing, including developing a deeper understanding of the signs and symptoms of a range of mental health conditions. In doing so we will help to bridge the gap in knowledge that Bupaโs research has identified, and ensure more people are empowered to access the right help at the right time.โ
