Duke of Cambridge launches initiative to support mental health in the workplace

Almost half of UK employees have experienced a mental health problem at work

(Getty Images)

The Duke of Cambridge is launching an online initiative to support mental health in the workplace which will offer employees training, information and resources to promote positive mental wellbeing.

Created alongside mental health charity Mind, the Mental Health at Work project will act as a web portal that will help managers to support staff who may be struggling.

The website will be open to all businesses and will be funded by the Royal Foundation, the philanthropic enterprise run by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

The Duke of Cambridge will unveil the website in Bristol today, where he is expected to give a speech about reducing the stigma surrounding mental health, which is the driving force being Heads Together, the charity he launched in 2017 with Prince Harry.

The Mental Health at Work project comes after a study by Mind revealed that 48 per cent of British workers have experienced a mental health problem in their current job.

The survey of 44,000 employees also found that only half of those who had experienced poor mental health at work had spoken to their employer about it - suggesting that 25 per cent of UK workers are struggling in silence.

"We know that employers want to do more and are starting to see mental health as a priority, but often don't know where to start,” comments Paul Farmer, Mind’s chief executive.

“The new online Mental Health At Work gateway will change that.

"Over the last few years employers have begun to take staff well-being more seriously and we know that many are doing great work around mental health in the workplace.

"Now is the time for a step change in how we think about mental health at work.

"All employers need to make it a focus and support their staff.

"It's clear from our research that when employers support their managers properly, it can make a big difference to the whole organisation.

"The gateway gives managers the tools they need."