Centre for Mental Health

Sainsbury Centre welcomes plans to promote wellbeing at work and boost role of family doctors

17 March 2008

Workplaces across the country could become healthier places and manage ill health better if proposals published by the National Director for Health and Work are put in action, the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health said today.

Responding to Dame Carol Black's report Working for a Healthier Tomorrow, Sainsbury Centre employment programme director Dr Bob Grove said: "We welcome the Government's commitment to health and work. Four-fifths of mental ill health at work is not caused by work. But being unemployed is as bad for your health as smoking or obesity. We need to stop people needlessly losing their jobs because of mental ill health.

"Family doctors play a pivotal role in people's working lives. Issuing a sickness or 'fitness' certificate is as serious a step as issuing a prescription. The Government should support GPs, employers and others to work together to give individuals the support they need to return to work or to full productivity before time takes its toll and getting back starts to seem impossibly hard.

"We also welcome the recognition that work is important for good mental health. Having a fulfilling job with supportive management is fundamental to everyone's wellbeing. Promoting mental wellbeing at work is not just good for staff, it makes business sense. The key is to ensure line managers are able to respond well and in good time to mental distress.

"Today's report sets out an ambitious agenda. The key to its success is to ensure that GPs, employers and patients have timely advice and effective support. We hope the Government will invest in Dame Carol's proposals and offer the leadership this important work needs."