Mental health, working whilst unwell

Research has indicated that LGBT people are up to three times more likely to suffer from a mental health condition than the rest of society.

Conference suspects that the actual impact of mental health illness is unseen for reasons such as stigma around mental wellbeing and draconian workplace sickness and absence policies that seek to persecute employees for being ill.

As a consequence of further stigma around sexuality and gender identity the impact on LGBT members is likely to be disproportionately higher.

Whilst conference acknowledges that the impact of mental illness on LGBT members may be higher, research on the overall impact on all our Members is needed.

Conference calls on the Executive Council in conjunction with the Health and Safety Committee to develop a membership survey to primarily establish evidence around the following questions:

1. How many Members are suffering or have suffered a mental health related illness?

2. Is the illness work related?

3. Have they ever gone to work whilst they have felt sufficiently unwell to perform their duties?

Conference acknowledges that whilst conducting such a survey it may be an opportunity to ask the membership other health related questions and would leave these to the discretion of the Executive Council and Health and Safety Committee.