Mental Health Awareness Week

Check out the video to find out what you can do, that could potentially save someone’s life. It’s only 52 seconds.

 

Mental Health Awareness Week is a yearly event, with the aim of highlighting and raising awareness on mental health issues, as well as promoting your own wellbeing. Individuals are provided with an opportunity to openly talk about mental health, their own mental health experience, and the steps they take to improve their mental health. This event is a week – long and usually will include a range of activities, namely webinars, seminars, podcasts, blog articles and workshops events. All of which have the same aim – to educate and inform people on mental health and encourage those struggling, to seek help.

As we touched on above, we are highlighting four charities that help play a positive part in breaking the stigma.

Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH)

The Scottish Association for Mental Health ( otherwise known as SAMH ), has been a prominent advocate for mental health in Scotland since 1923. SAMH offers pivotal services such as mental health one – to – one support, information, and educational training. SAMH have a presence in local communities, schools, and workplace environments, with their key message and main focus being to offer support to those experiencing mental health issues, but also to educate others on how to support those who are struggling. SAMH are active campaigners for improved mental health policies and practices, with the goal of altering the legislation and general attitude / stigma surrounding mental health.

Change Mental Health

Change Mental Health, who were formerly known as Support in Mind Scotland, is dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by mental illness. Change Mental Health offer services such as counselling, support groups and crisis intervention, with a key focus on generating a supportive environment. One where individuals can have easy access to the help and support that they require, with an emphasis on their recovery, but also their resilience. Speaking out when you are struggling is something which should be encouraged and is the first step in the road to recovery.

Barnardo’s

Barnardo’s are a charity that focus on children and young people who are vulnerable, particularly those who are facing mental health challenges. Services will include therapeutic support & counselling. Barnardo’s also offer specially designed programmes with the goal of creating emotional resilience. Their work ensures that young people have all the tools and knowledge they need to manage their way through future mental health challenges, should they arise.

Samaritans

Samaritans offer support on a 24 / 7 basis for anyone that is experiencing extreme suicidal feelings or is in a state of distress. It is important to note that all of this is confidential between the individual and Samaritans. Their helpline offers a place for individuals to speak, on a non – judgemental basis, providing the space and time they need to speak through their current thoughts. They also offer activities that raise awareness on mental health and suicide prevention, ensuring that people know where they can go when they are seeking help.

You can check out all four of these amazing charities via the hyperlink in the introduction of this article.

Why Mental Health should be a Workplace priority

Mental Health is a key aspect to the overall wellbeing of an individual. Employees who are mentally healthy tend to be more engaged, productive, and motivated in the workplace. On the other hand, mental health issues such as stress and anxiety ( amongst others ), can had negative effects on an employee and the organisation themselves.

Impact on Productivity and Performance

Employees may struggle to focus, make clear – cut decision and have a poor general workplace performance if they are struggling with their mental health. By prioritising the mental wellbeing of your workforce, you can create a healthy workforce and working environment, one which is likely to not only meet, but also exceed targets and goals set by management, and can act as a key driving force towards achieving your goals, both individual and organisational.

Absenteeism

Employees struggling mentally are likely to have an increased level of absenteeism if they have to take time off due to their mental health. There are various negative factors associated with this, such as other employees having to work longer hours to cover, the organisation being short – staffed and an impact on morale. However, it is extremely important to note that if any employees needs time off due to their mental health struggles, you should support them on this, and encourage them to get support.

Creating a Supportive Culture

You can create a positive workplace culture, with inclusivity at the forefront of this, all by prioritising mental health. When employees feel comfortable enough to speak without fear of judgement, then they will be more likely to seek help, creating a sense of openness and support in the workplace culture.

Financial Benefits

This is perhaps a more in – direct benefit, but one which is still extremely relevant. By investing in mental health benefits such as an Occupational Health Expert or relevant training, you are investing in the health & wellbeing of your workforce, but also investing in better productivity, reduced absenteeism and your culture within the workplace environment.

The Importance of Checking in on your Employees

Your role, as an employer, involves having regular check – ins with employees. These can be work – related but there is nothing wrong with asking some mental health related questions as well within this. Primarily, this can act as a method of monitoring work performance but also act as a reminder to check in on the wellbeing of your employees.

Going Beyond Work-Related Discussions

Check – ins are an effective way to discuss more than just work – related topics. It is always important to regularly review workplace performances, but you must also ensure that you offer a space for employees to be as open as they wish about their personal life, inviting them to speak about any challenges they may be facing. If workplace performance has dropped in recent time, this may provide an insight into why this has happened, and you can then manage that accordingly. It is important that you are non – judgemental in these discussions and offer the employee support in any way you can. This can help to demonstrate that you care about your employees, by treating them as people rather than workers.

Recognise The Signs

There are various changes to behaviour that you should be aware of, some of which we have listed below:

• Emotional Changes such as increased irritability or sadness.
• Cognitive changes such as difficulty concentrating and making decisions.
• Behavioural changes including withdrawal from social activities or changes in eating habits.
• Physical changes such as frequent headaches or fatigue.

Managers should be proactive in addressing these signs. This is why we recommend having an Occupational Health Nurse in place to support on issues such as this.

Mental Health Awareness Week acts as a powerful reminder that mental health can be prioritised in every area of life. Prioritise mental health by regularly checking in on employees. By doing so you are going above and beyond the normal duties, demonstrating a level of care and understanding for your employees than can have benefits such as increased productivity, increased workplace morale and increased retention of staff. Employees enjoy feeling valued by their employers and in-return, employees are likely to work harder for you and aim to represent the business in a positive manner.

Resources such as counselling services ( either one – to – one or as a group ) can help help. Furthermore, Employee Assistance Programmes or Occupational Health Expert visits can also help your employees. At The HR Booth, we have incorporated Wellbeing Wednesday into our holiday schedule. This entitles staff to an extra day’s holiday off of work, to go and do something that is beneficial for their mental health. In addition, a work – life balance can have numerous benefits for employees, one of which is reduced stress and improved mental wellbeing.

Mental health can play a huge part in every aspect of an employee’s life. From their personal life at home to their workplace performance. There is a direct correlation between mental health and workplace performance. If one of these is struggling, it is likely that the other one is as well. As a manager / employer, you have a responsibility to look out for your employees, notice the signs that they may be struggling and take the appropriate action to support them.

Let Mental Health Awareness Week act as a reminder to put this into practice throughout the whole year.

If you would like support on how to implement this into your workplace, then contact us via the form at the bottom of this page.