Here's how YOU can do your bit on World Mental Health Day...

Today is World Mental Health Day, and this year the focus is on mental health in the workplace.  

(TIPS AT THE END FOR MANAGING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH)

I have worked, lived and spent considerable amounts of time with many people who suffer from mental health issues through my charity work at MIND. One thing that we all agree on is that the majority of people tend to misunderstand mental health issues - there are still so many misconceptions surrounding the issues and what you should do if you think somebody is suffering.  Did you know that one in four people suffer from some kind of mental health issue each year, and even more worryingly, 90% of those people suffer discrimination as a result.

I truly advocate education in this area, often ignorance can exacerbate problems faced by those who suffer with mental health conditions, especially in the workplace.

The Mental Health Foundation reports that:

·       More than half of all UK adults said they would not employ someone with depression, even if they were the best candidate for the job;

·       The UK issues 50 million prescriptions for antidepressants every year, that’s the fourth highest rate in Europe;

·       More than 65% of employees feel scared, embarrassed or unable to speak to their employer about mental health concerns;

·       More than a third of men reported feeling worried or low, but said their close friends and relatives were unaware of their struggle;

·       Half of all people with perinatal mental health problems are not identified or treated, costing the UK more than ￡8billion per year.

Inflexible working hours can have a significant impact on the mental health of employees, creating a culture of rewarding employees simply for the length of time they sit at their desks, rather than for their productivity levels.

But what can you do to raise awareness of mental well being in your workplace?

·       Research information freely available from organisations such as MIND and the Mental Health Foundation;

·       Organise a session amongst colleagues to discuss what is needed in your workplace;

·       Explain your findings to your Manager and set out what you think could be done to help;

·       Suggest your organisation has a mental health champion to act as a direct link between employees and senior management, taking the lead in talking about mental health;

·       Raise awareness of support and training available to your staff, at all levels

·       Mental Health First Aider – appoint someone and make sure they have the right training.

·       Promote flexible working and taking breaks, even if it’s just a short walk on a lunch time

·       Promote regular exercise, either by going to the gym, or joining groups such as football, netball and yoga classes.

Here are some top tips for looking after your mental health at work:

1.     Make sure you take a lunch break - whether it’s taking a run or stroll in the fresh air or eating your lunch outside with colleagues, the benefits of getting away from your desk and heading outdoors cannot be underestimated. You’ll feel energised and more productive for the afternoon;

2.     Listen to music - if you’re feeling stressed, listening to a calming song can take your mind off work for a few minutes and help you unwind and refocus. Research has found slow, quiet music can encourage relaxation and reduce anxiety. Listen to your favourite song as a simple treat to yourself, giving you some added motivation so you can better tackle a big workload;

3.     Your work-life balance needs to be right - there will be times when you need to work overtime to meet deadlines, but try to make this the exception rather than the rule. Learn to work smarter not harder;

4.     Ask for help - if you feel your workload is spiralling out of control, take opportunity to discuss it with your manager or supervisor. Don’t be afraid to ask for help;

5.     Use the time on your commute home to wind down from work - read a book or listen to your music to set aside some time to yourself. Try cycling part of your journey, or getting off the bus a stop early so that you can walk part of the way home. These little actions can really help you to switch off;

6.     Create clear boundaries between work and home - try not to let work spill over into your personal life.  If you need to bring work home, create a separate area for work and stick to it, so that you can close the door on work once you’ve finished;

7.     Keep a to-do list - at the end of each day, go over your list and write up one for the next day. By keeping your thoughts on paper rather than in your head, you’ll find it easier to not think about work.

8.     Take time to reflect – there are loads of apps out there, I use Grid Diary, its free and easy to use on my phone so I can reflect on my day when I get a moment at any time of the day anywhere. Being present and reflecting is super important. Try it give yourself 10 minutes each day and you’ll see a massive difference.

9.     Meditation/ yoga – this isn’t for everyone but you can do mini meditations if you are feeling stressed or anxious at work. Some places do lunch time yoga classes or after work. It really helps you to switch off and live in the present (basically not worrying about everything else in your head)

10.  Factor in exercise before or after work each day, even just a walk. DO IT. It is by far the best treatment for mental health suffers and the best prevention method. The key to a happy mind through a happy body.

If we adopt some for the above tips we can help care for our own mental health and create a more positive working environment as a result.

Clcik here if you want some more hints and tips of how to deal with Anxiety:

https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/misconceptions-anxiety-9-tips-how-avoid-them-jodie-hill/

If you or one of your employees / colleagues suffers with mental health then please contact me for a free consultation to see if we can help them stay in work and get reasonable adjustments to suit the needs of the employee and the business. I also offer bespoke training on all area of employment law including workshops on handling employees with mental health problems and Equality Training.

More info here on what are the different types of mental health problems: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/anxiety-and-panic-attacks/#.V6NLTdIrJNA