Mental ill-health remains largely misunderstood in FE colleges according to Lifelong Learning UK, as the latest workforce data reveals no increase on the number of staff declaring a disability.

While the majority of FE staff who have declared a disability (2.7%) prefer not to specify the nature of their impairment, only 0.02% of staff state they have a mental health condition compared to 0.5% of staff declaring a physical impairment.

With separate research from 'Time to Change' showing that 1 in 4 adults experience mental health problems in any one year, Lifelong Learning UK is concerned that not enough is being done to support staff experiencing mental health difficulties.

In a move to de-stigmatise mental ill-health, Lifelong Learning UK is highlighting the issue during Mental Health Week (3-11 October 2009) by providing advice on what FE colleges can do to improve support to staff experiencing mental health issues.
 
What colleges can do:
Follow the recommendations of the Commission for Disabled Staff in Lifelong Learning (2008) by:
. Applying the advice of the Health and Safety Executive on managing stress;
. Adopting a risk-assessment approach to mental health;
. Promoting mental well-being through all their policies, practices and procedures.
. Read the Rethink guide "We Can Work it Out" for line managers on how to make reasonable adjustments for mental ill-health - http://www.rethink.org/.
. Support the national 'Time to Change' campaign to end discrimination faced by people who experience mental health problems - http://www.time-to-change.org.uk/.