Mental Health Awareness Week 9-15 May

Today marks the start of Mental Health Awareness Week, with the focus this year the link between loneliness and mental health issues.

https://mentalhealth-uk.org/ say “Loneliness affects many of us at one time or another. We know that loneliness can be both the driver for and a product of poor mental health.

Our society is changing fast. The pandemic has given rise to a sense of loneliness and isolation undermining confidence in daily routines. In recent times, many of us have had far less access to loved ones. Tech is enabling healthcare professionals to see more patients without the need to travel, but on the flip side of the coin, convenience and cost efficiencies are driving more and more activities online.

Our workplaces are also changing. With many adapting to home and hybrid working, we need to embrace this change while building and maintaining meaningful connections with our colleagues.”

What can you do to help your staff and support mental health in the workplace, both in the office and at home?

. Keep in regular contact with your home workers, as a team and one to one. Meetings should be accessible to all workers. Keep them updated on what is happening so they feel involved and reassured.

. Utilise available technology like Zoom, Skype etc.

. Make home workers aware of any occupational support available to them.

. Speak regularly about workloads, demands and training needs. Make sure people don’t feel obliged to answer emails outside normal working hours, that they aren’t working excessive hours, and taking adequate rest breaks.

. Encourage positive mental health, for example arranging mental health awareness training, workshops or appointing a mental a ‘mental health champion/s’ who staff can talk to.

. Provide training for managers and supervisors to help identify the signs of stress

. Have a stress and mental wellbeing policy in place and ensure that all staff are aware where they can access it

If you need help and guidance to create your own mental wellbeing policy and procedures, then please contact our Employment law team on 01246 932100 or email hello@dawsonradford.co.uk for a no obligation chat.