Better mental OSH needs concrete action guidelines for companies
The 29. January has invited announced information meeting on mental health at work in Berlin to which Mrs von der Leyen representatives of employers, trade unions and statutory accident insurance, is preceded by a discussion, the IG Metall in the summer of last year, with the demand for an anti-stress regulation fired. were 2012 end the terms included in the Working Conditions Act "mental health" "mental stress" and - which at the same time a pension obligation of the employer is connected. The Conference of Labour and Social Affairs ASMK country is not far enough - it has the end of November prompted the federal government to an ordinance to protect against hazards caused by mental stress in the workplace.
The Foundation's Board and Director of the Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy in Leipzig, Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hegerl, said: "We welcome the focus of prevention activities of the Joint German OSH Strategy (GDA) on the protection and strengthening of health at work-related mental Burden. Also demanded by IG Metall and the Conference of Labour and Social Affairs of the Länder additional legal anchorages could the wind for the mental OSH actually increase. However, since it lacks the premises neither regulations nor does it negatively are the subject of a rule against, but mainly broad knowledge and technical- professional support is missing, we believe that the development of specific action guidelines for the company for more effective objective. The GDA has already set up its guidelines on the advice and supervision in psychological stress in the workplace a good base. Model adhesive could also here the existing action guidelines for alcohol dependence to be, on the basis of many years companies work with success in the field of alcohol disorders in the workplace special, tailored to their business conditions operating agreements. This guide should be aware that most mental illnesses are not caused in the workplace by work and work in terms of mental illness may even be protective. Since mental illness at work people, similarly as in the general population, are very frequent, a competent handling of establishments with mental illness, regardless of the cause is important "Furthermore, the Chairman of the Foundation German Depression Help cautions:". The term "mental illness" are adopted various diseases such as anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, unipolar depression, bipolar affective disorders, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease and addictions. All of these disorders vary very considerably with regard causation, prevention and treatment, so that general statements on mental health are generally difficult. Therefore, a focus of occupational health promotion measures is initially recommended to the most common and important psychological disorder depression. Main aim must be to send professional help quickly to those affected and by informing and educating personnel managers contribute to misunderstandings in dealing with the disease depression will be avoided. "
In addition to building an in-house atmosphere that allows an open approach to mental health problems, is to think of the following measures:
- Qualification of managers, human resource managers and company doctors,
- Creation of interview guidelines,
- Building help / counseling services for victims in operation,
- Employee information, including training / seminars.
The benefits are part of the operation in avoiding the costs associated with absenteeism and presenteeism costs and the part of the mentally ill in the prevention of unnecessary suffering by accelerating professional treatment.
Source: Leipzig [Foundation German Depression Help]
