Mental Health in the Working World from the Perspective of Occupational Physicians

Objective As a contact person for mental health problems, occupational physicians have a wide range of tasks including the assessment and adaption of company-related psychosocial conditions and the implementation of treatment and rehabilitation measures. It is of interest how they perceive the relevance and occurrence of mental disorders on one hand, and the prevention and treatment of employees' mental disorders within the company on the other. Method Data collection with paper-and-pencil and Internet survey. Statistical analysis was performed with PASW. Results The majority said that sickness absence and occupational invalidity due to mental disorders have increased in the past years. 65.4% of the company physicians said that their company has not implemented any prevention programmes. About one third said that mental disorders are handled differently in comparison to physical disorders (insecurity, concealment and social exclusion of the persons affected). Information and education of the company's management are of great importance. Conclusion There is need for action when it comes to the qualification and further education of occupational physicians and the implementation of prevention programmes.