9 – 15 May 2022

Mental Health Awareness week

The annual event Mental Health Awareness Week is a time for the whole of the UK to focus on achieving good mental health.

The event started 21 years ago and each year the Mental Health Foundation continues to set a theme, organise and host the week. This year it focusses on loneliness.

Mental Health can now be classed as a disability, so it is no good overlooking it or burying your head in the sand as an employer. In fact, evidence shows that by positively addressing the subject of mental health – let’s call it mental fitness – it is possible to align business goals with employee wellbeing.

“Anxiety and stress account for 49% of all lost working days.” Habitaction.com

 


Kickstart your thinking

Three top tips

We have put together three top tips to kickstart your thinking, both as an employer and an employee, in this most important subject…

 

1: Write it into your policies – as a company you could make it your mission to treat mental illness seriously; identify issues proactively and resolve them; support employees who face mental health problems; and create pleasant workplaces in collaboration with managers, employees, unions and health experts.

2: Offer advice, support or signposting – just having a third person, like Colman Kayman, to talk to can help. This can be a HR professional, a First Aider specifically linked to Mental Health or just a clear signposting support that points your team in the right direction.

3: Create a breakout space – We’re not talking Google here – just a small space that allows people to take time out, destress and recalibrate. According to Habit Action “Businesses with effective communication and collaboration are 50% more likely to have lower employee turnover.”

Cheshire
Case Study

Brownlows Furniture

Brownlows Furniture, in Cheshire, have created a special mental health garden for its team to enjoy and escape to. The success of it has been evident to productivity and recruitment too. This is a company that really cares about its employees’ wellbeing! The place is used for Friday morning BBQ breakfasts, evening get togethers, and regular 5-minute breaks.


Colman Kayman

Contact

Contact us to discuss how we can help you provide a safe and productive work environment for you and your team.

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