World Mental Health Day – ‘Make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority’.

One in four adults and one in ten children experience mental illness. A recent study by Utopia of over 3000 workers across a section of industries shows that most employees are struggling with their mental health at work and need support from their employers.

Covid has played a huge part in the decline in mental health in the UK with over half of people citing it as having had a negative effect on their mental health and now we are grappling with a spiralling cost of living crisis which is impacting at the same rate.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 700,000 people worldwide die by suicide each year and in the UK more than 6000 people take their own lives every year which means that every 90 minutes, someone dies from suicide in the UK. Suicide rates are rising and the impact is being seen across all generations and genders, but we still see men being more significantly impacted and three times more likely to die by suicide than women. One of the main challenges that men face is that they are less likely to admit when they feel vulnerable, whether to themselves, friends, or a GP. They also can be more reticent than women to see a doctor. Women are more willing to share their problems and men tend to bottle them up. But it is true that, for generations, many societies have encouraged men to be “strong” and not admit they are struggling.

What can we do to help our employees?

Regardless of their size, all businesses need to invest in their employees’ mental health. Work can often be the cause of stress and anxiety for many employees and whilst we cannot change what is happening in the world, we can ensure that we are taking the necessary steps to help our employees at work and recognise the signs of declining mental health. After all, a business can only thrive when its people are thriving.

Mental First Aider

One of the easiest steps you can take is to have a mental health first aider in your organisation. We have our wonderful Ellie Trow who is constantly communicating with all our employees whether they are in the office, working from home or based in one of our satellite offices.

Ellie completed her Mental Health First Aid training a year ago and has been trained to have an in-depth understanding of mental health and the factors that can affect well-being. She has learnt practical skills to spot the triggers and signs of mental health issues and the confidence to step in, reassure and support a person in distress. Ellie has enhanced her people skills such as non-judgemental listening and has the knowledge to help someone recover their health by guiding them to further support – whether that’s self-help resources, the NHS, or a mix.

Boost Employee morale and performance

Poor mental health is one of the most common reasons for long-term sickness absence from work. Intervening and providing support for staff is such an important first step towards an individual accessing the support they need.

By lifting the lid on the mental health taboo, businesses can create a more inclusive and fairer workplace. Mental health needs to be acknowledged as central to personal well-being. It can often be directly related to work performance, so helping those employees improve their performance by putting strategies and training in place is an essential first practical step any business can take to help employees with their mental health and will improve company culture. Work offers structure, relationships and purpose and it can be a key part of a person’s mental well-being recovery programme if the right support and understanding are in place.

How to care for your mental health

We found these tips from the Mental Health Foundation (MHF) and thought they would be really helpful:

Get Closer to Nature

Nature can have a really calming effect on us; making us feel more hopeful and less alone. MHF research found that going for a walk was the UK adults’ favourite way of coping with stress during the pandemic in 2020, so going to a forest or wood and experiencing the different smells, sounds and textures may really help.

Learn to Understand and Manage Your Feelings

Many of us will know when we are upset but not be sure what we are feeling. It often helps to give your feelings your attention without judging them, without telling yourself you are stupid or weak to feel the way you do. Practice and patience with yourself will help. Work out what has led to you feeling this way.

Talking May Change the Way you Feel

Talking to someone may help you feel less alone and may also change the way you see and feel about a situation, in ways you find helpful.

Get Help With Problem Debts   

At the moment, the cost-of-living crisis is impacting many of us and taking control of your debts can really help to alleviate any mental health pressures. We are never alone with money problems. Research shows that finances are one of the most common and serious sources of stress for many people. Even if your finances are impossible to change, sharing your fears with another person who is not involved, and who you trust, is likely to help you feel less alone and overwhelmed.

You can download Martin Lewis’s free guide for everyone struggling with their finances and mental health problems. https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/content/dam/mse/downloads/mentalhealthguide-Sep-2022.pdf

There are a variety of free-to-use advice and support services with many advisers trained to help those with mental health problems:

Citizen’s Advice: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/

Stepchange: https://www.stepchange.org/

Christians Against Poverty: https://capuk.org/

National Debtline: https://www.nationaldebtline.org/