The positive and negative impacts of mental health and wellbeing in the workplace have been highlighted to sometimes tragic effect in recent times, with individuals unable to cope with stresses of various kinds suffering from depression, suicidal thoughts and other impacts which can often be invisible to colleagues and even families.
Our drive to 'soldier on' regardless in the face of such challenges can sometimes work against us in concealing the true scale of these problems. With the duty of care of employers for their staff comes the responsibility of making them aware that support is available, is non-judgemental, and can be effective in mitigating some of the impacts of personal difficulties. This can benefit not only the individual concerned, but also improve the work environment for al staff.
There is no one solution that fits all circumstances, but the willingness of employers to help and of staff to open up their problems to assistance can often render life-changing positive results.
The ADI is very happy to support these principles and help promote Mental Health Wellness in Dentistry in their efforts to support individuals and employers facing such difficulties in bringing into the light issues which are too often concealed by embarrassment, innuendo and misunderstanding.
The recognition of a problem is always the first step to resolving it; so any process, tool or network that offers people encouragement to take that first step deserves the unstinting support of all responsible employers.
To find out more, please download Wellbeing Support for the Dental Team - A UK Wide Resource, created by Mental Health Wellness in Dentistry.