Depression is on track to become one of the world’s leading causes of disability – and Jersey’s workplaces are already feeling the strain.
That’s the message from the island’s key employment relations body, which has reported a sharp rise in mental health-related discrimination claims since the pandemic – and is warning that poor workplace culture and undertrained managers are fuelling the crisis.
According to JACS’ 2024 annual report, last year the Employment and Discrimination Tribunal referred 250 claims to JACS – an increase of around 30% in comparison to 2023.
Of those 250 claims, 93 claims were made “either partly or fully in respect of discrimination” including 51 relating to disability discrimination.
The report noted that the most common reason for these claims was poor mental-health.
“It is usually hidden disabilities that give rise to claims for example chronic pain or mental-health,” it explained.
“Certainly, our data shows that since the pandemic, claims for disability on the ground of mental health have increased, often linked to a lack of consideration for reasonable adjustments and/or flexible working.”
Surge in prescriptions
The findings come after an Express investigation earlier this year revealed a significant rise in mental health medication prescriptions in Jersey.
A request made by Express under the Freedom of Information Law revealed an 18% rise in antidepressant prescriptions in community pharmacies, and a 23% increase in the Hospital pharmacy between 2019 and 2023.
Note: The above details the number of prescriptions for the listed medications dispensed annually by Health department in the Hospital Pharmacy.
The data also reveals that over the same period, prescriptions for other mental health medications also surged, particularly in the Hospital pharmacy.
ADHD medications nearly tripled with a 192% increase, while benzodiazepines – often used to treat anxiety, insomnia, and seizures – more than doubled at 121%.
Hospital prescriptions for mood stabilisers rose by 66% and antipsychotics by 42%.
Global fears should “galvanise” employers
JACS also noted a prediction cited by the World Health Organisation that, by 2030, depression is expected be one of the leading causes of disability and premature death.
The WHO’s prediction that depression will shortly become the single biggest cause of
Hilary Griffin
disability and premature death worldwide should galvanise employers into urgently addressing workplace culture issues
“Therefore, it is imperative that we understand mental-health conditions more and along with the Discrimination (Jersey) Law 2013 look to make any reasonable adjustments possible in order to reduce/mitigate the risk of claims,” the report added.
JACS chair Hilary Griffin said that WHO’s prediction that depression “will shortly become the single biggest cause of disability and premature death worldwide should galvanise employers into urgently addressing workplace culture issues”.
“Lack of training for managers is the single biggest cause of escalating disability claims”
“Lack of training for managers is the single biggest cause of escalating disability claims and I would urge employers to focus on educating their managers in this regard,” she said.
Not dealing with these issues will likely lead to a rise in long-term sickness absence, JACS warned.
“JACS’ free monthly online courses, which provide guidance on current workplace issues, are an excellent start in this regard,” Ms Griffin said.
Find out more about JACS’ work here.