Mental illness is the most common work-related health problem in Scotland, and Scottish workers are more likely to suffer from it than those in the rest of the UK. A new study shows mental health problems have overtaken musculoskeletal disorders as the most common health problem in Scotland’s workplaces. The findings show just over 40 per cent of the 4,043 cases of work-related health problems in Scotland were categorised as mental health problems. That compares to 30 per cent in the rest of Britain. The majority of these related to anxiety and depression, followed by work-related stress, with a far smaller number suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Study co-author Dr Colin Ramsay, consultant epidemiologist at Health Protection Scotland, said: 'The system is very much based on reporting systems for occupational physicians and specialist physicians, so it doesn’t pick up data from your average GP, for example. You are just seeing the tip of the iceberg.'

• Y Chen, S Turner, R McNamee, CN Ramsay and RM Agius. The reported incidence of work-related ill-health in Scotland (2002-2003), Occupational Medicine, vol.55, no.4, pages 252-261, 2005 [abstract].