What is Mental Health?

Mental health has been defined by the World Health Organisation as “a state of well-being
in which the individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of
life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her
community”(WHO 2005).

Mental health can oscillate on a continuum from good to poor. Thus, mental health
problems can affect anyone irrespective of age, personality or background.

Magnitude and Burden of Mental illness:

Globally, mental illnesses like depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and alcohol use
are ranked among the 10 leading causes of disability (Murray & Lopez, 1996; WHO, 2008a).
Mental illnesses were the sixth leading cause of disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) and
the second leading cause of years lived with disability (YLDs) in the world in 2017 (IHME,
2017). Burden of mental illnesses is posing a serious challenge to health systems around the
world. One in four people experiences a diagnosable mental health issue in any given year
(Goldberg, Huxley 1992, ONS, 2009).

Mental health conditions at workplace:

Currently, managing and supporting employee’s mental health has become a rising challenge
for employers. One in six workers in UK experiences depression, anxiety, or unmanageable
stress at any one time (ONS, 2009). One in five US adults aged 18 or older experience mental
illness in a given year (NIMH, 2017). Many people with mental illness also need care for
other physical health issues (Merikangas et al 2007, Scott et al 2016, Glassman, 2007,
Luppino et al. 2010). Mental illness can impact employees performance and productivity
(CIPD, 2011).

Disclosure of Mental illness: