Info overload causes mental problems

Dr Doreen Miller, a specialist in occupational medicine and founder of Miller Health Management, explained that information overload is the reason mental health problems are now the second biggest cause of sickness absence.

The growth of the service industry and new means of communication such as mobile phones and e-mail are overloading staff with information, she said. Nowadays when they have problems, this makes it more likely to be a mental problem, rather than a physical one.

Miller offered delegates some useful advice on the importance of early intervention, appropriate referral to OH for advice, good case management, ongoing communication and a well-designed rehabilitation programme.

She said that OH professionals are best placed to address mental health in the workplace because they are trained to understand the effects of work on health and health on work.

During the rehabilitation process, OH staff are key in communicating the client's needs to the line manager, she said.

Miller also advised listeners to be proactive rather than reactive. "Do you have a well-being policy in place to reduce levels of stress?" she asked.

She also pointed out that stress is 'a state, not a diagnosis' as stated on the HSE website, which offers lots of advice on reducing levels of stress.

www.hse.org.uk