Nicola Sturgeon, Scottish First Minister, was in our building a few weeks ago. Two quick-witted Into Work employees saw their opportunity and asked her to take part in our video in support of World Mental Health Day.
News
World Mental Health Awareness Day – 10th October
Article by Rowena Diggle, Into Work Employment Adviser.
Today is World Mental Health Awareness Day, which falls on 10 October each year, and this year’s theme set by the World Federation for Mental Health is…
… Mental Health in the Workplace
Chris O’ Sullivan from the Mental Health Foundation states “Mental health is something we all have”. He goes on to say “Workplaces that challenge us, support and develop our sense of purpose, and support us when things are hard can play a massive role in protecting and building our mental health.
A mentally healthy workplace can be built on the back of good basic line management relationships, clear HR policy and engagement of staff in decision making. Prevention is key – we need to enable everyone to flourish, those in distress to access help quickly, and those who have recovered from mental health problems to stay well and enjoy successful careers”. However the bigger picture shows that much more needs to be done to prevent mental ill-health and promote mental well-being in the workplace.
At least 1 in 4 people experience some kind of mental health problem each year, ranging from symptoms of stress and anxiety to more complex mental health conditions. Latest figures show that over 70 million working days in Britain are lost each year due to mental ill health, costing £70-100 billion annually. So it is evident that the impact of poor mental health in the workplace is massive, not only for employees but also for employers, and there is an urgent need to address this.
Evidence shows that although there is an increased understanding of good mental health and the benefits of a mentally healthy work place, it can be difficult to know how to go about taking effective steps to improve workplace mental health. The good news is that there is an ever -increasing availability of good advice and resources for both employers and employees to help promote and achieve more healthy workplaces. Taking steps forward to achieve this may not cost anything, and can be as simple as starting a discussion.
We know that people with mental health conditions can and do pursue successful careers with the right support. People with a mental health problem have the highest ‘want to work’ rate of all disabled groups. I am an Employment Adviser with Into Work, a supported employment charity based in Edinburgh, and we have a great track record of supporting individuals with mental health conditions to find and sustain work. Many people come to us low in confidence. One client, a 21 year old man, who had experienced 5 years of crippling anxiety and depression and had never had paid work, recently started a job and wrote to me to say:
‘It’s going good so far. Learning a lot which is keeping me busy and I’m definitely seeing a major difference in my mental health too! Finally the future is looking good😊’ .
His story reflects what is often the experience of the majority of people with mental health conditions – that appropriate employment actively improves mental health and well-being.
At Into Work we recognise the need for key factors to be in place to ensure a successful employment outcome for a client. However as everyone’s experience of a mental health problem is different so is the support that may be needed. For example, not all clients wish to disclose their condition. Managing mental health in a work place effectively involves promoting the well-being of all staff, to prevent stress or poor mental health and also to effectively tackle the causes of work-related mental health problems. For employees experiencing mental health problems, policies on reasonable adjustments can be vital as can appropriate support from a line manager. Links to further resources and guidance are listed below including how to support employees with a mental health condition and rights at work for people with a mental illness.
So, on Mental Health Awareness Day, what can you do to make a difference to promote improved wellbeing in the work place you may belong to? Spend some time becoming better informed. Start a discussion with your colleagues. It only takes small steps to make a difference.
GENERAL GUIDES
BUSINESS IN THE COMMUNITY:– Mental Health toolkit for Employers A free online toolkit to help employers take positive actions to build a culture that champions good mental health and provides a greater understanding of how to help those who need more support. https://wellbeing.bitc.org.uk/all-resources/toolkits/mental-health-employers
MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION:- Managing mental health in the workplace – an e-book looking how to encourage good mental health in the work place https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/managing-mental-health-workplace
TIME TO CHANGE: Creating mentally health workplaces – A report addressing the steps employers can take to create mentally healthy workplaces, based on feedback from employees and national best practice. https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/news/new-report-creating-mentally-healthy-workplaces
DELOITTE CENTRE FOR HEALTH SOLUTIONS: At a tipping point? Workplace mental health and wellbeing (March 2017) A report addressing the importance of mental health in the workplace; the changing environment for workplace wellbeing; the challenges in implementation and in changing employer and employee attitudes and offers solutions to current and future challenges. https://www2.deloitte.com/uk/en/pages/public-sector/articles/workplace-mental-health-and-wellbeing.html
ACAS: Promoting positive mental health at work:- a report including what you can do to promote positive health at work, the mental health continuum, information on the Equality Act 2010 and Reasonable Adjustments http://www.acas.org.uk/media/pdf/i/o/Promoting_positive_mental_health_at_work(SEPT2014).pdf
GUIDES FOR SUPPORTING AN INDIVIDUAL WITH A MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEM
MIND:’Resource 4 – How to support staff who are experiencing a mental health problem’ . A guide on steps an organisation can take to support staff at every stage of the mental health spectrum https://www.mind.org.uk/media/550657/resource4.pdf
A LINE MANAGER’s RESOURCE: A practical guide to managing and supporting people with mental health problems in the workplace http://www.ncl.ac.uk/hr/assets/documents/mhfa_line_managers_resource1_update_oct_13_jes.pdf
GUIDE TO RIGHTS AT WORK FOR A PERSON WITH A MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION
RETHINK: ‘What’s reasonable at work?’ – A guidance at rights at work for people with a mental illness https://www.rethink.org/resources/w/whats-reasonable-at-work
OTHER
SCOTTISH CENTRE FOR HEALTHY WORKING LIVES: guidance on mental health advice and a provider of employer mental health awareness training. http://www.healthyworkinglives.com/advice/workplace-health-promotion/mental-health
A new look for our 24th birthday
Into Work turned 24 on 16th August. We thought it was about time we revamped our image and started telling the world just why we’ve been so successful over the past years. So – we’ve got a new logo, a new website and a whole new enthusiasm for celebrating who we are, what we do and why it’s important.
New Into Work Office in Dalkeith
Into Work have been providing Midlothian residents with supported employment services for many years. Up until recently, we either had to meet people at our office in Edinburgh or in cafes, libraries and other public places in Midlothian.
Not any more!
In May this year, thanks to Midlothian Council for providing the accommodation, we established a base at 1 Eskdaill Court, right in the centre of Dalkeith.
An article in the Midlothian Advertiser explains it more.
Welcome to our New Staff
Three new Employment Advisers and one new Job Coach started working with us last week – Jo, Jordan, David and Alison. We’ve a busy induction schedule mapped out for them for the first few weeks allowing them to acclimatise to their new roles. Jo, Jordan and David will be based at our Norton Park office in Edinburgh and Alison will work between our two Project SEARCH bases at the City of Edinburgh Council and the Wester General Hospital.
There’s a lot to take in – let’s hope we don’t scare them off.