HSSD chief officer Mark Cooke speaking at mental health charity Mind’s seminar. With him are Waitrose’s David Bowen, centre, and Andy Cast. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 1179568)

PLANS to introduce a mental well-being policy in the workplace have been supported by businesses.

In a seminar held by mental health charity Mind, employers and employees were given a chance to see not only the importance of introducing a policy but also the benefits it can bring.

There were keynote speeches from Guernsey Mind senior advocacy liaison officer Emily Litten and Health and Social Services Department chief officer Mark Cooke, alongside a presentation from Andy Cast and David Bowen of Waitrose, who discussed the supermarket group’s policy on mental well-being and how it worked in practice.

It is estimated that work-related mental health problems cost UK businesses £26bn a year in sickness, staff turnover and reduced productivity, which equates to £26m. for Guernsey.

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