With mental ill health being the most common work-related illness in the UK, for any employee experiencing mental ill health issues, regardless of the underlying cause it is essential that advice and guidance is sought as soon as possible. There may be specific factors that you will need to consider such as is the employee is in a safety critical role for example; however early intervention for any employee experiencing mental ill health is key.
For example, following an OH assessment, in addition to the OH management report advising on workplace adjustments / restrictions etc., it may be that specialist psychological intervention is advised, and the earlier this is identified, and arranged, the better the outcome will be all round. To assist in reaching this determination, the OH clinician will undertake a biopsychosocial screening assessment during the case management referral consultation appointment, which may include using validated psychometric screening tools.
As soon as you become aware that your employee is experiencing mental ill health, it is advisable that you have a supportive discussion with your employee about referring them to OH.
If an employee has reported sick due to mental ill health, at day 1 of the absence commencing, a referral to OH is strongly advised.