In the run up to World Mental Health Day on 10 October, civil service union PCS is urging all union branches to hold workplace events to promote good mental health – but is also calling for action to address the workplace causes.

The union cites Health and Safety Executive figures that show stress, depression or anxiety are now the greatest cause of work absence in the UK.

It adds that government figures released in January 2018 revealed over a quarter (26 per cent) of all sickness absence in the civil service is due to mental health conditions. “PCS reps report that an increasing number of members’ cases they support are for mental-health-related work absence,” the union says. “Mental health awareness training is important for union reps – understanding the ‘signs’ and symptoms of stress that can trigger mental health conditions, gaining some knowledge about protections that apply, and learning about sources of help to sign-post members toward are vital elements of the rep’s toolbox.”

PCS offers one- or two-day reps’ courses on mental health awareness. But it adds: “As a union, we also need to take a proactive, campaigning approach. The hard work of union reps in supporting individual members is valued and important, but we don’t want just a ‘sticking plaster’.” The union notes: “If members are unhappy because they feel pressure to work over their contracted hours, if they are struggling to pay bills because of low pay, leaving them feeling desperate that they cannot cope, if their manager is also under pressure and bullying staff, or the office is under threat of closure – all of these issues impact on our mental health. Organising around core trade union issues, building union strength to fight for improved conditions must be explicitly part of fighting for better mental health in PCS.”

The TUC has also stressed the need to address the factors at work that cause or exacerbate mental health problems alongside providing support for those affected