Mental Health at Work
More employers recognise that investing in the mental health and wellbeing of their employees is not only the right thing to do, it also makes good business sense:
- Retention: employees who feel well supported at work are far less likely to leave
- Productivity: employees feel more motivated if their employers show support for their mental health and wellbeing. In fact, employee wellbeing can increase productivity by 12 per cent while unhappy employees are up to 10 per cent less effective
- Being open at work about mental health empowers managers and employees alike to seek the help and support they need to maintain good relationships and efficient working.
Creating an environment that supports employees’ mental health and wellbeing starts with understanding what mental health is, why it matters and how it is promoted in the workplace. But it can be difficult to start those conversations given the stigma that still surrounds mental health. Only half of workers say they feel comfortable talking about mental health issues at work. So how do you be open in the workplace about your own mental health if you fear you’ll be condemned as ‘unreliable’ or ‘unstable’? How do you broach an issue that is so often loaded with shame? How, as a manager, do you support a colleague who seems distressed or anxious? What do you do if a work colleague is having a panic attack?
Prior to training as a counsellor, I worked in senior roles supporting organisational development, internal communications and employee engagement. I now combine my considerable experience as both a manager and counsellor and training in mental health first aid to support mental health and wellbeing at work in two main areas:
Training & Consultancy
Working with strategic partners, I help local employers to promote mental health and wellbeing at work through tailored workshops that identify and address issues specific to your organisation. I also design and deliver employee engagement campaigns to promote awareness of mental health. For a discussion on how I might support the mental health and wellbeing of your business, please call 07799 761825 or email [email protected]
Individual Counselling
I help people at all stages in their career reflect on the meaning that work holds for them and how they might best cope with the complexities and demands of the modern workplace. For a free initial consultation, please call 07799 761825 or email [email protected]
