---
title: New ICO guidance on information sharing in mental health emergencies at work
description: New ICO guidance on sharing personal data in mental health emergencies at work. Learn about the importance of information sharing for employees in crisis. Explore more with HR Connect.
---

[News ](https://www.hrconnect.org.uk/news)

# [New ICO guidance on information sharing in mental health emergencies at work](https://www.hrconnect.org.uk/news/new-ico-guidance-on-information-sharing-in-mental-health-emergencies-at-work)

 Written by [HR Connect](https://www.hrconnect.org.uk/news/author/hr-connect) | Apr 11, 2024 3:00:52 PM

## New Employer guidance has been issued by The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) with regards to the extent which it is permissible to share personal data about workers during a mental health emergency.

This new [guidance](https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fico.org.uk%2Ffor-organisations%2Fuk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources%2Femployment%2Finformation-sharing-in-mental-health-emergencies-at-work%2F&data=05%7C02%7Ctom.ashlee%40hrconnect.org.uk%7Ce27a6c42c61a4348e13808dc5a35490d%7C91500cbb8a3f40e797dc3044077dd028%7C0%7C0%7C638484432098003768%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=b4x8xeWLI35R2dBbnlFoKPl7fCbblUep9n5FfHm2gqk%3D&reserved=0) for employers aims to give clear guidelines about what information could and should be shared, regarding employees, who are experiencing a mental health crisis. For the purpose of the guidance, a mental health crisis (or emergency) is a situation where there is a belief that a person is at serious risk of harming themselves or others because of their mental health.  This can include the potential risk to life.  The guidance goes on to contains advice of legislative requirements, and around the timely sharing of necessary and proportionate information with relevant emergency services and/or the worker's next of kin.

HR Connect will look to explore this more in coming months and will share further advice and support for schools. 

[Information sharing in mental health emergencies at work | ICO](https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fico.org.uk%2Ffor-organisations%2Fuk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources%2Femployment%2Finformation-sharing-in-mental-health-emergencies-at-work%2F&data=05%7C02%7Ctom.ashlee%40hrconnect.org.uk%7Ce27a6c42c61a4348e13808dc5a35490d%7C91500cbb8a3f40e797dc3044077dd028%7C0%7C0%7C638484432098013588%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=kasDRloCO9JYkTmkyGEi4b9Ey3HTT9f6Xxtnvc7Yd7k%3D&reserved=0)

[View full post](https://www.hrconnect.org.uk/news/new-ico-guidance-on-information-sharing-in-mental-health-emergencies-at-work)

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