Back in 2019, I wrote a blog having read the 2017/18 Labour Force Survey (LFS) which showed that the total number of cases of work related stress, depression or anxiety in 2017/18 was 595,000, a prevalence rate of 1,800 per 100,000 workers. Many of which struggled to even get up in the morning.
Post Covid - I wonder what the 2021/22 figures would be? Can you guess?
Well, here they are:
- 1.8 million working people suffering from a work-related illness, of which
- 914,000 workers suffering work-related stress, depression or anxiety
- 477,000 workers suffering from a work-related musculoskeletal disorder
- 123,000 workers suffering from COVID-19 which they believe may have been from exposure to coronavirus at work
- 2,544 mesothelioma deaths due to past asbestos exposures (2020)
- 123 workers killed in work-related accidents
- 565,000 working people sustained an injury at work according to the Labour Force Survey
- 61,713 injuries to employees reported under RIDDOR
- 36.8 million working days lost due to work-related illness and workplace injury
- £18.8 billion estimated cost of injuries and ill health from current working conditions (2019/20)
Have you noticed the difference in figures.....
- 595,000 in 2017/2018
- 914,000 in 2021/2022
So what do we do about it?
Well, the obvious answer is to get a coach. But before I say that, let's begin with this.....
If you are someone that is suffering, struggling at home with stress, depression or anxiety - know that my DMs are open if you ever need a chat or a coffee - no judgements or obligations.
I say this because there was a time when I was a part of that statistic.
Where energy, calm and ease felt like they were in a foreign land. One of those times, back in 2011/2012 required setting up home with my sister, brother-in-law, niece and nephew. Life was a pretty tough time. The call of a darkened room and locking myself away into the cocoon of a duvet were a place of safety and isolation.
But it often stopped me from doing the normal things - cleaning my teeth, having a shower, socialising, or going to the shop - I would have quite happily stayed in that "pit" (quite literally) for months if I could.
But every single morning, two little faces would greet me at the bedroom door, encourage me to drink, get up, go again, find some energy to walk them to school, tell me a joke, sing me a song, or make up silly stories. They were beautiful lights at a time where stress was at an all time high in my mind.
I look back on those times with fondness - experiencing unconditional love every single waking morning. I smile at he numerous talks that we had as I walked them to school, the trial and error of doing scooter tricks, or making up names for each other. We giggled in a way that still rings in my ears, warms my heart and brings a tear to my eyes even now as I write.
The reality of life's lesson being this......
In the worst of days, I gained some of the most beautiful and treasured memories, priceless for the rest of time, ones that I will hold onto forever.
And now, some 11 years on, two of those beaming faces are grown and at University training to be educators and teachers - just like me! Following in my footsteps of becoming a teacher . I couldn't be prouder, not even by the university status - although that in itself is MAGICAL.
No, I am even more proud of the human beings that they have become and continue to be.
Today's lesson is a simple one - however hard it may feel, light and love are around every corner - from a smile from a stranger, to the breeze in the trees, to the blues of the skies. Just keep going, one small step at a time.
Today isn't about offering advice or guidance, it is simply to say;
I get it. I have been there. Go slow. It's okay not to be okay. There is sunlight beyond a statistic.
