Skip to main content
IOSH Magazine: Safety, Health and Wellbeing in the world of work - return to the homepage IOSH Magaazine logo
  • Visit IOSH Magazine on Facebook
  • Visit @ioshmagazine on Twitter
  • Visit IOSH Magazine on LinkedIn
Non-verbal communication
How to build trust
March/April 2023 issue

Main navigation

  • Home
    • Browse previous issues
    • Member accolades
    • Member tributes
  • Health
    • Mental health and wellbeing
      • Bullying
      • Drugs and alcohol
      • Mental health
      • Stress
      • Wellbeing
    • Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)
      • Ergonomics
      • Manual handling
      • Vibration
    • Occupational cancer
      • Asbestos
      • Hazardous substances
      • Radiation
  • Safety
    • Incident management
      • Chemicals
      • Electricity
      • Fire
      • First aid
      • Slips and trips
    • Non-health related fatalities
      • Road safety
      • Work at height
    • Risk management
      • Confined spaces
      • Disability
      • Legionella
      • Lifting operations
      • Lone workers
      • Noise
      • Personal protective equipment
      • Violence at work
      • Work equipment
      • Workplace transport
  • Management
    • Human factors
      • Accident reduction
      • Behavioural safety
      • Control of contractors
      • Migrant workers
      • Older workers
      • Reporting
      • Safe systems of work
      • Sickness absence
      • Young workers
    • Leadership and management
      • Employee involvement
      • Management systems
    • Management standards
      • ISO 45001
      • ISO 45003
    • Planning
      • Assurance
      • Compliance
      • Emergency planning
      • Insurance
    • Rehabilitation
      • Personal injury
      • Return to work
    • Strategy
      • Corporate governance
      • Performance/results
      • Regulation/enforcement
      • Reputation
    • Sustainability
      • Human capital and Vision Zero
  • Skills
    • Communication
    • Personal performance
      • Achieving Fellowship
      • Career development
      • Competencies
      • Personal development
      • Professional skills
      • Qualifications
    • Stakeholder management
    • Working with others
      • Leadership
      • Future Leaders
  • Jobs
  • Covid-19
  • Knowledge Bank
    • Back to basics
    • Book club
    • Infographics
    • Podcast
    • Reports
    • Webinars
    • Videos
  • Products & Services
  • Management
    • Human factors
      • Sickness absence
      • Accident reduction
      • Behavioural safety
      • Control of contractors
      • Migrant workers
      • Older workers
      • Reporting
      • Safe systems of work
      • Young workers
    • Leadership and management
      • Employee involvement
      • Leadership
      • Management systems
    • Management standards
      • ISO 45001
      • ISO 45003
    • Planning
      • Assurance
      • Compliance
      • Emergency planning
      • Insurance
    • Strategy
      • Corporate governance
      • Performance/results
      • Regulation/enforcement
      • Reputation
    • Sustainability
      • Human capital and Vision Zero
  • Health
    • COVID-19
    • Mental health and wellbeing
      • Bullying
      • Drugs and alcohol
      • Mental health
      • Stress
      • Wellbeing
    • Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)
      • Ergonomics
      • Manual handling
      • Vibration
    • Occupational cancer
      • Asbestos
      • Hazardous substances
      • Radiation
  • Safety
    • Incident management
      • Chemicals
      • Electricity
      • Fire
      • First aid
      • Slips and trips
    • Non-health related fatalities
      • Road safety
      • Work at height
    • Risk management
      • Confined spaces
      • Disability
      • Legionella
      • Lifting operations
      • Lone workers
      • Noise
      • Personal protective equipment
      • Violence at work
      • Work equipment
      • Workplace transport
  • Skills
    • Communication
    • Personal performance
      • Career development
      • Competencies
      • Personal development
      • Qualifications
      • Professional skills
      • Achieving Fellowship
    • Stakeholder management
    • Working with others
      • Leadership
      • Future Leaders
  • Transport and logistics
  • Third sector
  • Retail
  • Mining and quarrying
  • Rail
  • Rehabilitation
    • Personal injury
    • Return to work
  • Utilities
  • Manufacturing and engineering
  • Construction
  • Sector: IOSH Branch
    • Sector: Northern Ireland
    • Sector: Midland
    • Sector: Merseyside
    • Sector: Manchester and North West Districts
    • Sector: Ireland East
    • Sector: Ireland
    • Sector: Edinburgh
    • Sector: Desmond-South Munster
    • Sector: Qatar
    • Sector: Oman
    • Singapore
    • Sector: South Coast
    • Sector: South Wales
    • Sector: Thames Valley
    • Sector: Tyne and Wear
    • Sector: UAE
    • Sector: West of Scotland
    • Sector: Yorkshire
  • Healthcare
  • Sector: Fire
  • Sector: Financial/general services
  • Sector: Energy
  • Education
  • Sector: Communications and media
  • Chemicals
  • Sector: Central government
  • Catering and leisure
  • Agriculture and forestry
  • Sector: Local government
  • Sector: IOSH Group
    • Sector: Financial Services
    • Sector: Sports Grounds and Events
    • Rural industries
    • Sector: railway
    • Public Services
    • Sector: Offshore
    • Sector: Hazardous Industries
    • Sector: Food and Drink
    • Sector: Fire Risk Management
    • Education
    • Construction
    • Sector: Aviation and Aerospace
Quick links:
  • Home
  • Categories
  • Topics
  • Health
  • Mental health and wellbeing
  • Mental health
IOSH News

IOSH holds Parliamentary reception on mental health

Open-access content Tuesday 23rd February 2016
From the archive:  Just so you know, this article is more than 3 years old.

Andrew Mitchell MP praised IOSH's work on mental health. Image credit: ©Steve Burden Photography

The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) invited recently-elected MPs -- who have taken up their role since the 2015 general election -- and new peers to its 'Promoting Mental Health at Work' event.

It was hosted by Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell, MP for Sutton Coldfield. IOSH president Dr Karen McDonnell gave an opening address before further speeches from mental health experts Lord Layard and Dr Paul Litchfield.

Dr McDonnell said that with one in six workers in the UK suffering from mental health problems such as stress, anxiety and depression, it is important that organisations ensure that work is safe, healthy and supportive.

She said: "IOSH believes that we need to improve education, training and awareness for key groups. These include policy-makers, managers, GPs and other professionals. We need to make sure that work is better designed and better managed and that we pick up early signs of problems and take prompt and effective action."

Dr McDonnell added: "We know that positive feelings about work are linked with higher productivity, profitability and customer and worker loyalty.

"Lots of good employers are realising the benefits of developing a culture of care and treating mental health at work with the same importance as physical health -- seeing it as a positive investment, not a cost."

Dr McDonnell highlighted some employers who have invested in the mental health of their workforce and reaped the rewards.

They included Glasgow City Council, which saved £4.5 million in the first year of a scheme to tackle musculoskeletal disorders and stress, and Leeds Metropolitan University, which saw a 16% fall in stress-related absence through a project designed to tackle it.

About 20 MPs and peers attended the event, held on Monday 22 February.

Mr Mitchell praised the work of IOSH on mental health, adding: "Bringing it out of the shadows and being much clearer about the importance of treating mental health, and how often it can successfully be treated, is a vital part of our work today. Its time has come."

Lord Layard, a leading economist who has written books on happiness and mental health, told the reception that mental illness is the "biggest single cause of low life satisfaction".

He said: "Mental health is a huge cost to business but, more important to me, a huge cost to the people themselves. It is important to help people to talk about these issues at work. Line managers have got to be able to say 'are you alright?'"

Meanwhile Dr Litchfield spoke about his work at BT, where he is chief medical officer, to help tackle the stigma around mental health issues. He said that organisations need a "framework" in place to ensure they have sustained improvements.

He said: "Often the problem for companies is knowing where to start. It can seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be.

"Stigma and unconscious bias are still alive and well in the workplace and we need to consign both to history." He went on to highlight how supporting people with mental health issues so they can remain in work pays off for everybody.

You may also be interested in...

 Mental health investment “a step in right direction”

Thursday 18th February 2016
The NHS has pledged an extra £1bn a year of funding into mental health by 2020-21, reaching one million more people.The announcement comes after a report was published by the Independent Mental Health Task Force, which obtained the views of 20,000 members of the public, people with experience of mental health problems and healthcare professionals.
Open-access content

 IOSH to showcase good mental health benefits to MPs

Monday 1st February 2016
The institution believes that organisations across all industries should attach as much importance to their workers’ mental health as they do their physical health.It is inviting MPs who took up their role for the first time after the 2015 General Election, together with new peers, to an event called Promoting Mental Health at Work. The event will be hosted by Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell, MP for Sutton Coldfield. IOSH President Dr Karen McDonnell will give an opening address.
Open-access content

 The ballot box returns for the Council election

Monday 22nd February 2016
The Council is IOSH’s representative body, providing advice and guidance on strategic, professional and policy issues. It represents the views of members to the Board of Trustees and has the key responsibility for choosing who will represent the Institution as President.Later this year, a ballot will be conducted to elect new members of Council. Twelve members will be elected by vote to join after the Institution’s Annual General Meeting in November, at the IOSH Networks Conference. Successful candidates will serve for three years.
Open-access content
Students Millie Marsh (left centre) and Katherine Pearl receive the award from Chris Stops (far left) of IOSH Thames Valley Branch, and IOSH Marketing Director Alison Hall.

 Filmmakers honoured by IOSH for safety and health at sea

Thursday 25th February 2016
Producer Millie Marsh and production manager Katherine Pearl overcame gale force winds and enlisted the help of professionals including riggers, the coastguard and experienced sailors to safely create their ambitious short film, Those Who Are Lost.Their work has been honoured by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), which crowned them the winner of the Health and Safety Management in Film Production Award at the National Film and Television School’s (NFTS) Graduation Show 2016.
Open-access content

 HSE chair addresses new IOSH Staffordshire Branch

Friday 19th February 2016
Dame Judith Hackitt said shared learning and networking among occupational safety and health professionals can make a real difference to the wellbeing of workers across Britain.The message came as Dame Judith’s attended the inaugural meeting of the IOSH Staffordshire Branch, where she spoke to members about the HSE’s five-year strategy to shape the future of Britain’s health and safety system.
Open-access content

 IOSH event to highlight MSDs in food and drink manufacturing

Thursday 18th February 2016
Experts will share the latest thinking, technology and best practices for identifying, managing and eradicating causes of MSDs in the sector, during an event to be staged by the IOSH Food and Drink Group next month.Industry statistics continue to identify MSDs as a major cause of prosecutions and major injuries to workers in the UK food industry. MSDs are also a significant cause of emotional stress and can reduce the quality of life for those affected.
Open-access content

Latest from IOSH News

jfc

 IOSH launches new five-year strategy

Tuesday 21st March 2023
IOSH launches its new five-year strategy this spring. It will build and act on the reshaped purpose and ambition gained during WORK 2022, which ran from 2017 to 2022.
Open-access content
RTSH

 Blueprint: new plans and opportunities

Wednesday 4th January 2023
Virman Man explains how IOSH’s new and enhanced tool, launched at the end of last year, will energise you as you take the next steps in your OSH journey in 2023.
Open-access content
52544989228_1185522469_c.jpg

 Celebration marks new IOSH president

Friday 9th December 2022
The 56th president of IOSH was celebrated last week at an event held at Westminster University in London.
Open-access content

Latest from Mental health

web_Global-warming_credit_iStock-157419001.jpg

 International SOS report highlights effective crisis management to respond to 2023 risks

Monday 16th January 2023
Organisations should provide their crisis management teams with the correct level of training, investment and support so they can respond effectively to the major global risks facing the world in 2023.
Open-access content
web_FatalityInfoGraphic-2022-A_notext.jpg

 Work-related ill health and non-fatal injuries rise

Work-related ill-health and non-fatal injuries have risen, according to the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) latest annual health and safety at work statistics for Great Britain, published last week
Open-access content
web_Businesswoman-at-a-meeting_credit_iStock-1351446226.jpg

 Line managers’ study: behavioural strategies to better support employees with mental ill-health

Tuesday 25th October 2022
A UK study of line managers that explores the support they have given employees who have returned to work after long-term sickness absence due to common mental disorders highlights five behavioural strategies that could enhance HR and senior management policies and practices.
Open-access content
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linked in
  • Mail
  • Print

Latest Jobs

Senior Health and Safety Manager

Reading
Up to £65000.00 per annum + Great Car Allowance & Benefits
Reference
5452983

Regional Health and Safety Advisor

Northampton
Up to £53000 per annum + Travel & Excellent Benefits
Reference
5452982

Global Health, Safety and Environment Director

Up to £150000 per annum + Excellent Benefits
Reference
5452980
See all jobs »

Sign up for regular e-alerts

Receive the latest news and features, free to your inbox

Sign up

Subscribe to IOSH magazine

Receive the print edition straight to your door

Subscribe
IOSH Covers
​
FOLLOW US
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube
CONTACT US
Contact us
Tel +44 (0)20 7880 6200
​

IOSH

About IOSH
Become a member
IOSH Events
MyIOSH

Information

Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Cookie Policy

Get in touch

Contact us
Advertise with us
Subscribe to IOSH magazine
Write for IOSH magazine

IOSH Magazine

Health
Safety
Management
Skills
IOSH Jobs

© 2023 IOSH • IOSH is not responsible for the content of external sites

ioshmagazine.com and IOSH Magazine are published by Redactive Media Group. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any part is not allowed without written permission.

Redactive Media Group Ltd, 71-75 Shelton Street, London WC2H 9JQ