Everyone has a mental health story…

Everyone has a mental health story. This was very clear from the frank and open discussion at the mental health and wellbeing fringe session at the recent ACT Annual Conference in Liverpool.

This session was very timely as it coincided with Mental Health Awareness week in the UK and it was the latest in the ACT’s Diversity and Inclusion calendar which has already included events on Bridging the gender pay gap and Engaging LGBTQ+ Allies.

It is estimated that 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year. Even if you think you will never be affected, there is a very good chance that a friend or colleague around you is struggling at the moment. This can range across a number of issues such as a short-term crisis, a longer-term illness or caring for a loved one with a condition such as dementia.

It’s an emotive and sensitive subject. Many people still feel that even mentioning a mental illness could result in judgement and discrimination, especially in the workplace, in a way that a physical problem wouldn’t. There is still an element of the ‘snap out of it’ culture, however, attitudes are beginning to change and many organisations are starting to recognise the importance of mental health.

A very engaged work force is critical for the success of any organisation. Health and well-being is key to this; therefore, it is always in the organisation’s best interest to ensure they support this. However, it can be challenging for very commercially driven organisations where success is measured purely on results. One of our panel spoke about how at review times he not only looks at what has been achieved but how it has been achieved. It comes down to short term vs long term goals and firms that get this right will attract the best staff and ultimately have a more loyal, engaged and productive workforce.

Awareness and communication are the keys to recognising the symptoms of and then dealing with mental illness both in ourselves and those around us. As with any health issues catching things early is always beneficial. Watching out for a shift in behaviour or productiveness in a team member can often be a sign that something isn’t right.

Things organisations are doing:

• Providing dedicated mental health champions in the same way you would have for first aid in the workplace
• Developing mental health resources to improve tolerance, understanding and recognising the signs
• Having a mental health policy and setting the tone with new employees, with senior leaders talking about their own experiences
• Giving employees access to resources such as mindfulness apps

Even with all these resources stress can still be an everyday part of work life especially at busy or critical times. Sometimes this can be unavoidable however our panel did have some tips on dealing with everyday work stress that have worked for them:

• Within your team take it in turns to have a day off from the phone by redirecting calls to others.
• Be self-aware – know your own stress levels and do not push yourself beyond the limits of your tolerance.
• Reach out to people, a kind word can make a huge difference. Don’t underestimate the importance of human contact.
• Check out the ACT Career Hub for a number of resources on well-being and mental health such as the stress management self-assessment, or articles on the latest research

The take away from the session was that mental wellness is just as important for an organisation as it is for an individual and we all have a duty of care for ourselves and others. Everyone has the right to a fulfilling and happy life.

Thank you to the panel: Caroline Stockmann, Dino Nicolaides, Tahir Chaudhary, Yann Umbricht, and Sarah Carroll.