EFD supports National Stress Awareness Day

31st October 2006

Employers' Forum on Disability (EFD) is lending its support to National Stress Awareness Day 2006, which takes place on 01 November 2006.

As the authoritative voice on disability as it affects business, EFD is committed to making it easier for employers to improve their approach to mental health.

EFD believes that addressing mental health problems in the workplace is an essential component of creating a healthy working environment.

It is estimated that one in six people in the UK will currently be experiencing problems with their mental health.

By taking a positive approach to dealing with stress, and mental health issues in general, employers will create a more productive working environment for current employees whilst also reaching out to a wider talent pool.

Niccola Swan, deputy chief executive at Employers' Forum on Disability says: "Effective management of mental health in the workplace is not only good news for employees it is also good news for business.

"Mental health problems account for the loss of over 91 million working days each year, costing British business four billion pounds a year.

"Promoting good mental health at work can reduce sickness absence, increase retention and lead to higher levels of motivation and productivity.

"Employers' Forum on Disability is keen to support UK employers to respond to this business priority."

http://www.mind.org.uk/Information/Factsheets/Statistics/Statistics+1.htm

Ends

Notes to editors

• Employers' Forum on Disability has recently launched its Mental Health Learning and Action Research Network, working with leading employers who have already demonstrated a significant commitment to this agenda. Attendees at the first meeting were drawn from BT, the Metropolitan Police, Rolls Royce, Royal Mail, Unum and the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health.
• The Network will be leading the way in analysing the systemic, social and environmental barriers that limit the employment opportunities available to people with mental health problems and producing recommendations for change. EFD also hopes to maximise the learning from the Network to develop and test practical tools which can support employers to recruit and retain more people with mental health problems as part of a diverse workforce.
• National Stress Awareness Day is an annual event (now in its eighth successive year) held on the first Wednesday in November. The event is organised by the International Stress Management Association^UK (ISMA^UK) - a registered charity (no. 1088103, and company limited by guarantee no. 4079657) with a multi-disciplinary professional membership. ISMA exists to promote sound knowledge and best practice in the prevention, reduction and management of personal and work-related stress; and sets professional standards for the benefit of individuals and organisations using the services of its members.

For further information on National Stress Awareness Day, please contact:

Mandy Smith
Email: mandy@rpr-positive.co.uk
Tel: 01582 792346 / 07721 471575

Media enquiries, please contact:

Brenda Otema, Communications & Marketing Officer
Employers' Forum on Disability
Email: brenda.otema@efd.org.uk
Telephone: 020 7403 3020

About Employers' Forum on Disability

Employers' Forum on Disability is the employers' organisation focused on disability as it affects employers and service providers. With over 300 members, EFD represents organisations that employ around 20 per cent of the UK workforce.Since its establishment in 1991, EFD has worked closely with government and other stakeholders, sharing best practice to make it easier to employ disabled people and serve disabled customers.

www.efd.org.uk