A Red Arc mental health programme has claimed a 74% recovery to normal mood levels and everyday coping capacity within a period of three to four months.
According to the Office for National Statistics, in 2011 131 million days were lost due to sickness absences in the UK, of which 13% (13.3m) related to stress, depression or anxiety.
The care advisory service provider which supports insurers, affinity groups and trade unions, said the programme uses four key elements each tailored to meet the needs chronic depression, stress and anxiety.
Red Arc said the programme brings substantial cost benefits and financial returns for employers and protection insurers, as well as a much improved quality of life for each individual client.
The programme involves a registered mental health nurse acting as a Personal Nurse Adviser providing problem solving advice and selecting the most appropriate type of therapy; Self help material offering suggestions of activities the individual can undertake to assist their own recovery; Counselling or therapy assessed by the Personal Nurse Adviser and follow-up support throughout the programme and beyond counselling or therapy. This is available for as long as required.
Christine Husbands, managing director of Red Arc, said: "Individuals referred to our programme are employees who have experienced problematic circumstances in their job or personal life and are having difficulty in coping, resulting in mild to moderate depression and anxiety.
"We expect the majority to benefit from the services we provide. However, a small minority may continue to experience difficulties at work or home and will take longer to recover, whilst a very small number may continue to have longer term psychological difficulties."
The cost of sickness absence attributable to mental health is estimated at £335 for every employee in the UK by the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health .
