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<p>In October 2017, the Prime Minister welcomed and accepted the recommendations of
the <em>Thriving at Work: The Stevenson / Farmer review of mental health</em> <em>and
employers</em>. This recognised that employers should develop a comprehensive approach
to managing mental health that includes implementing activity on preventing mental
ill health caused by work, promoting good mental health in the workplace and supporting
individuals who experience poor mental health. Actions to implement this comprehensive
approach are described within the mental health standards developed by the reviewers
and accepted by Government.</p><p> </p><p>Existing duties under the Health and Safety
at Work Act 1974 contribute by requiring employers to put in place measures to prevent
causes of work-related mental ill health. Specifically, the Management of Health and
Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require employers to undertake a risk assessment and
act on that assessment by removing or putting in place reasonable steps to control
the causes of work-related mental ill health. Additionally, under the Health and Safety
(First Aid) Regulations 1981, employers have a responsibility to consider the mental
health needs of their staff as part of their ‘first aid needs assessment’ and decide
on what support is necessary. This assessment enables employers to put in place measures
that will directly respond to their employee needs and allows businesses flexibility
where those needs may change. Supporting individuals in distress until professional
help arrives is an important feature of any first aid event regardless of its nature.
It is a key component in the first aid syllabus contained in the regulations and meets
the NHS recommended approach for assisting an individual who is experiencing a mental
health crisis.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Government is committed to working with
key stakeholders, public, private and voluntary sectors to ensure that employers of
all sizes implement the mental health standards, comply with their legal duties and
realise the benefit of healthy inclusive workplaces.</p>
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