Counselling saves British business millions every year

A new resource to be previewed at the Association for Counselling at Work Annual Conference on 28-29 March 2003 will highlight the immense costs to British business from stress and mental health problems and underline the
significance of counselling in tackling the problem.

The resource, produced by the Government's mind out for mental health campaign, is a unique tool to help line managers engage with people who have stress and mental health problems.

Figures from the resource show that:

Stress related absence accounts for half of all sickness from work, with an estimated cost to industry of $4 billion. (ref 1)

The total cost of mental health problems in England has been estimated at 32 billion - this is half as much again as the entire UK budget for defence. (ref 1)

The mental health charity Mind, estimates that 80 per cent of modern diseases have their beginnings in stress. Most of the 12 million adults who see their GP's each year about mental health problems have complaints related to stress, and a major determinant of this are problems in the
workplace. (ref 1)

At the same time, a recent study from the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy undertaken by Professor John Mcleod of the University of Abertay, Dundee, showed that following counselling, work-related symptoms
and stress return to the normal range for more than 50% of clients and reduce their levels of sickness and absence by between 25-50%. (ref 2)

The ACW conference, entitled 'Workplace Counselling - Responding to the changing needs', will focus on the developing role of counselling at work and showcase its role as part of an integrated response to promoting the
wellbeing of employees.

There is an exciting opportunity to look beyond the traditional boundaries of counselling and explore how the skills and perspectives of counsellors can be integrated within a holistic approach to employee health, said Barry
McInnes, Chair of ACW. Mental health in the workplace is an increasingly urgent issue for employers. In terms of carrots there is tremendous potential to unlock greater productivity through increased employee wellbeing. In terms of sticks, there is growing case law around compensation
payments for stress and also the fact that the Disability Discrimination Act will be applicable to employers of all sizes from October 2004.

Liz Aram from mind out for mental health will preview Talking About Mental Health - a new resource to be launched in May 2003. This provides advice to line managers around recruitment, spotting signs of mental distress, talking at an early stage, support during sickness absence and managing a successful
return to work.

In the preface to the resource, Lord Stevenson, Chairman of HBOS Plc and an ambassador for the campaign, says, Many line managers are confused and fearful about engaging with a person who is experiencing mental distress.
They worry that they will say the wrong thing or that they will open a can of worms that they have neither the time nor experience to handle. Liz Aram's presentation will argue that counsellors can play a vital role in
addressing these fears and helping both employee and manager through a constructive process.

BACP's Association for Counselling 2003 Conference and AGM is being held at Latimer Conference Centre, Chesham, Buckinghamshire, From Friday 28 March - Saturday 29 March 2003.

Other speakers include:

Steve Boorman - Chief Medical Officer, Royal Mail Group plc

Chris Cox - Assistant Director of Legal Services, Royal College of Nursing

Gladeana McMahon - co-Director, Centre for Stress Management

Stephanie Beer - Chair, Employee Assistance Professional Association

Alan Jamieson - Deputy Chief Executive, BACP.

Delegates own concerns and challenges will also be explored in a number of parallel workshops. The cost per delegate is 360 (reduced rates for ACW members of 290, and 330 for BACP members), a day delegate rate is also
available of 180 (145 for ACW members, 160 for BACP members). To be sure of a place, please call Beverley Brennan at BACP events on 0870 443 5241 or e-mail at beverley.brennan@bacp.co.uk

Details, and online booking are also available at