The importance of talking about mental health

In the UK, one in four workers struggle with mental health issues and one in five feel unable to handle workplace stress. Alarmingly, there are 5000 deaths by suicide each year, with 135 people impacted each time someone takes their life. These are some of the shocking statistics shared at our latest Swindon Mindful Employer Network event which took place on 10th September, Suicide Prevention Day. 

What can employers do to help? 

It is vital that employees feel supported at work. Poor mental health is one of the biggest challenges facing organisations across the UK, affecting productivity and increasing absenteeism. We were joined by Chloe Stockwell, Project and Events Manager and Emma Carter, Membership Director, who are both Mental Health First Aiders at Business West. Their role is to provide support to employees who may be facing mental health challenges. Chloe explained that it is crucial that employees feel supported in a confidential and non-judgemental way, and Mental Health First Aiders are there to do just that, signposting employees to professional support if required. 

We heard that Mental Health First Aiders play a vital role in reducing stigma and promoting positive mental health in the workplace. They are friendly faces in the workplace to talk to, not just in a crisis but for check ins too. Additionally, Mental Health First Aiders provide tools and techniques such as Wellness Action Plans to help employees prepare for times when they are feeling overwhelmed or experiencing poor mental health.

The importance of Mental Health First Aiders 

We learnt that Mental Health First Aiders undergo an internationally recognised intensive training course to equip them with the skills needed to recognise and address mental health challenges early on. Investing in such training helps create a work environment where employees feel that they are supported, and staff wellbeing is a priority. Additionally, having Mental Health First Aiders within an organisation assists in reducing the stigma around mental health. 

Stress accounts for up to 17.9 million lost working days, with around 828,000 workers affected. Our speakers emphasised that it’s important not to wait until you’re at burnout or breaking point. Mental Health First Aiders are there to support and provide help at any time. At Business West, the team ensure that they are visible, flexible and offer 1-2-1 chats, either on the phone, online or in person.

Many factors can affect an employee’s mental health, from workplace stress to age and relationships. In the UK, one in four people will face a mental health problem and we were reminded that employers have a legal responsibility to support their employees. Work can exacerbate pre-existing conditions, and lead to increased levels of stress, as well as burnout and absenteeism. 

Investing in mental health first aid

Emma Carter gave us an overview of why Business West chose to invest in mental health first aid. We learnt that this investment, which includes the implementation of a Mental Health First Aiders team, was in response to the covid-19 pandemic where employees were suddenly thrust into remote working, requiring both formal and informal support.

We were introduced to the five pillars of support that Business West use to structure their mental health support across the organisation. These are Communication, Stress Management, Positive Vibe, Self-Care and Growth Mindset. Lots of help is available under each pillar. For example, working remotely can lead to a feeling of isolation, thereby affecting mental well-being. The communication pillar therefore includes strategies such as regular check-ins with managers and colleagues, which give employees the chance to open up about anything they’re going through inside and outside of work. 

The Self-Care pillar links to a free Headspace subscription which is accessible to all employees. Growth Mindset fosters a learning and development environment through online courses and other opportunities to develop, thus increasing job satisfaction. An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is available too, providing employees with access to healthcare, support and advice, including counselling sessions if required.

Emma stressed that staff wellbeing is paramount at Business West. The Mental Health First Aiders have a slot at each monthly company update and there is a dedicated area on the intranet with useful tools and information for anyone who may be struggling. Throughout the session, we were provided with lots of helpful tips on managing stress, avoiding burnout, enhancing skills and knowledge, prioritising self-care and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Suicide Awareness

Our next speaker was Sara Bhavani, Mental Health Trainer, Swindon and Gloucestershire Mind, who joined us to talk about suicide awareness and how we can help ourselves and others.

The statistics are alarming, and we heard that a lot of deaths by suicide are preventable. Sara stressed that it’s vital to talk about how you’re feeling as it affects how we continue to feel. If we don’t talk, it’s easy to start feeling overwhelmed. 135 people are impacted by each life lost to suicide and it’s reported that being bereaved by suicide increases the likelihood of affected people having suicidal thoughts.

Reaching out

Sara explained that suicide is a natural progression of unresolved mental health issues. If someone becomes so overwhelmed, they can start feeling suicidal. 

If you notice changes in your own or someone else’s behaviour, reach out, especially if you’re facing some challenges or know that the other person is. Start the conversation. If you aren’t feeling great yourself, say so. Be open about how you feel and be honest about your own mental health. It can help the other person to talk and be open themselves. 

Often people don’t want to overwhelm others but it’s vital to explain that it’s fine to be honest. If the person isn’t opening up, it’s important to keep asking questions and delve deeper. This will give them the chance to talk, and you the opportunity to intervene if the conversation escalates. An important point that Sara raised is that it’s unhelpful to use sarcastic or undermining language when having these discussions. For example, by telling someone in distress that their situation is ‘not the end of the world’, you’ll diminish how they’re feeling and they’ll be less likely to reach out for help.

The 3-step plan

Talking about suicide does not increase the risk of suicide. An important takeaway from Sara’s presentation is that any intervention is better than no intervention. Here is a 3-step plan that can assist when speaking to someone in distress:

1 – Ask questions, how are they feeling? Can you help?

2 – Listen, make yourself available. Something has been keeping that person alive, it’s crucial to understand what.

3 – Safeguarding. Work together and create a safety plan. For example, help them get the right support, stay with them and look after yourself too.

Key takeaways

Looking after our mental health is crucial. It’s vital to be open, keep talking, stay active and not become detached. There is a lot of support out there for both employers and employees. Whether it is through a charity like Mind or Mental Health First Aiders in the workplace, do use it. Suicide is preventable.

If you would like to refer to any of the advice and contact information shared during this event, you can view the slides and the recording.

The Swindon Mindful Employer Network series is in partnership with Swindon & Gloucestershire Mind and Swindon Borough Council. During the events, we discuss different challenges and issues that employers might be faced with and how to become a more mindful employer. 

Our next event will be taking place in person on 13th November, and is open to employers in Swindon and the wider area who are looking for ways to be a more mindful employer. If you’re interested in finding out more, you can visit our event page here and sign up today.