One in five workers will suffer from a mental illness at some point in their lives, according to a report from the OECD, which found the cost of dealing with the problem was higher in Britain than overseas.
Mental ill health costs the UK about 4.5 per cent of GDP, as a result of NHS treatment, benefits for long-term sick leave and low productivity. That compares with 3.7 per cent in Germany and 3.4 per cent in France.
The OECD called on governments to give more help to workers suffering poor mental health. It said that workers may need to be given incentives. If employers paid a higher proportion of long-term sick pay, they might feel it was in their interests to offer talking