Psychological disorders - causing problems
At any one time, the community population contains a percentage of people who are suffering some form of mental illness, be it depression, anxiety, psychoses, neuroses, or problematic phobias and so on. The list is extensive. However, the bottom line is that maybe 1 in 5 people have a mental issue of some sort, minor or major, regardless of whether they know it or not. It is only a problem if it interferes with living and working in that society, or the sufferer perceives it as a problem. For those for whom it is a problem, and who should seek help, most will not because of the real or perceived stigma attached. It seems OK to go to a doctor about a physical illness, but not a mental one. It’s unfortunate because so many mental illnesses can be helped and treatment would shorten time of suffering. Mental illness costs the nation and industry a huge amount.
How come it costs industry?
The percentage of people referred to who are suffering but hiding their suffering, also go to work every workday. In any workplace of 100 people, a surprisingly high percentage of those people are less effective today and less efficient because their mind cannot be fully engaged in work. The possibilities are:
- They are well but troubled (e.g. relationship problems - work - elsewhere)
- They are unwell (e.g. clinical depression) and therefore troubled.
Personal issues are discussed elsewhere.
The organisation has no obligation to, and shouldn’t, offer advice to people who seem to have a psychological issue. Take legal advice on setting up a formal system to process such people, and ensure that the process is understood by all members. Some organisations have set up an EAP [Employee Assistance Program] that offers medical and psychological services to members.
Once such a facility has been formalised, we are able to offer generalist psychological services to that EAP facility.
We are able to offer individual counselling and psychological help to individuals.
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