Human Cost of Workplace Stress
Mental health
problems are on the rise because of increasing levels of workplace
stress and related illnesses.
CWU Conference delegates recognised that members with mental health problems are often reluctant to seek support and representation because of the stigma attached and the possibility of discrimination.
Delegates then urged the NEC to instigate a campaign within the membership against discrimination on grounds of mental health, and work with agencies to develop a package for branch officers which seeks to give them the facts about mental health issues.
And a training package should be designed to help equip branch officers to deal with members who have or develop mental health problems.
Edinburgh, Dundee and Borders delegate Martin Keenan said: "We all know people with mental health problems, family and friends but mental health is still stigmitised.
"Mental health should be an important issue for the trade union movement, it is a very serious problem that we are trying to address.
"Mental illness is an area we can longer afford to ignore."
