World Schizophrenia Day – 24th May | Consensus HR in Herts & Beds

World Schizophrenia Day – 24th May | Promoting Mental Health Awareness in the Workplace

Written by Matthew Chilcott – Owner, Consensus HR

Each year, 24th May marks World Schizophrenia Day, a day dedicated to increasing understanding, reducing stigma, and encouraging empathy around one of the most misunderstood mental health conditions.

At Consensus HR, we believe that mental health awareness—especially around conditions like schizophrenia—must be an integral part of any organisation’s approach to employee wellbeing, HR strategy, and inclusive workplace practices.

What is Schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a serious, long-term mental health condition that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. It can include symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganised thinking—but with the right support, people with schizophrenia can lead fulfilling lives and contribute effectively in the workplace.

Why Should Employers Care?

Employers have a legal and moral obligation to support employees with mental health conditions. Under the Equality Act 2010, schizophrenia is classed as a disability, meaning employers must make reasonable adjustments to support affected individuals.

Creating a supportive work environment not only reduces absenteeism and staff turnover, but also promotes inclusion, diversity, and team morale.

How HR Can Support Employees Living with Schizophrenia

Here are some key steps businesses can take:

1. Promote a Culture of Openness

Encourage open conversations about mental health through internal communications, leadership modelling, and awareness days.

2. Train Managers in Mental Health Awareness

Equip managers with tools and training to recognise signs of mental distress and support their teams sensitively.

3. Make Reasonable Adjustments

Support employees with schizophrenia through flexible working hours, quiet workspaces, reduced workloads, and regular 1:1 support.

4. Develop a Mental Health Policy

Formalise your commitment with a written policy outlining support processes, adjustments, and confidentiality protocols.

5. Offer Access to Occupational Health Services

Signpost to mental health professionals, Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs), or external HR consultancy support when needed.

Matthew Chilcott, FCIPD, Owner of Consensus HR, comments:

“World Schizophrenia Day reminds us of the importance of building compassionate, informed workplaces. At Consensus HR, we work with businesses to ensure they are legally compliant and emotionally intelligent in their approach to employee wellbeing. No one should feel isolated or unsupported because of a mental health diagnosis.”

Supporting Mental Health is Good HR Practice

Employers who prioritise mental health and promote equality in the workplace benefit from:

• Improved employee engagement

• Lower absenteeism

• Better retention and recruitment

• A stronger company reputation

Consensus HR Can Help

Our team of HR professionals works with employers to:

• ✅ Create inclusive workplace policies

• ✅ Ensure compliance with the Equality Act 2010

• ✅ Provide management training

• ✅ Support employees through mental health strategies

• ✅ Build positive workplace cultures

Contact Consensus HR Today

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