Now, more than ever, is mental health pivotal in our everyday lives. If someone is struggling with their mental health, it is not as simple as switching this off when they start their working day, in fact, work is one of the common contributing factors to poor mental health. It is essential that we work towards improving the mental health of our employers.
The charity organisation Mental Health at Work have recently launched a scheme called the Mental Health at Work Commitment. In it, is a framework that builds on what we already know, thriving at work standards using up-to-date research from the UKs top mental health experts and employers.
Statistics show that 300,000 people lose their jobs every year because of long-term mental health problems, and last year alone 39% of employees experienced poor mental health where work was a contributing factor. The likelihood is, you will know someone with poor mental health with work being an influence in this, whether they have informed you about it or not. Around 50% of employees surveyed felt comfortable having general conversations about mental health in the workplace – this campaign aims to increase this number as well as increasing the mental health support that organisations are offering their employees.
By signing the pledge, employers can begin implementing the mental health standards within their organisation, for their employees. The commitment also offers tools to help you get started, with the aim of driving change in organisations and looking after employee mental wellbeing. It also shows to the public that your organisation cares about mental health and that you are joining in with other organisations across the UK. The commitment involves implementing the 6 standards within your workplace.
The six standards are
- Prioritise mental health in the workplace by developing and delivering a systematic programme of activity
- Proactively ensure work design and organisational culture drive positive mental health outcomes
- Promote an open culture around mental health
- Increase organisational confidence and capability
- Provide mental health tools and support
- Increase transparency and accountability through internal and external reporting
Other resources provided aside from signing the commitment, CIPD have created and shared some guides with information and guidance on facilitating conversations about stress and mental ill health with employees as well as practical advice and templates.
As some extra guidance, Mental Health at Work have also provided some toolkits to use within organisations with various focuses; building mental health in construction, coronavirus and isolation: supporting yourself and your colleagues, helping staff to cope with trauma and many others.
If you are struggling with where to start, have a read of this article for some general pointers and tips about having these conversations.
Please do take a look at any of these resources and sign the commitment to take the pledge in making mental health at work a priority. This includes the mental health of everyone within an organisation and generally making your workplace a mentally healthier place.
If you are struggling with mental health problems yourself, speak to someone. Whether that is a loved one, someone at work, or someone you’ve never met before on the other end of the phone. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness, but rather a sign of strength and recognition that you deserve better and need a boost getting through something difficult.
Check out this list of contact numbers and websites for getting support from a mental health charity.
If you need to speak to someone in an emergency, contact Samaritans on their free 24-hour helpline for confidential support: 116 123.
If you are a business leader and would like some support on improving your support for mental health, then please contact Clare for a chat and to explore how we at CMCBP may be able to help, [email protected] or on +447594946166
