Leading awareness

Benjamin Heywood Hughes.

He would have been 26 years old yesterday.

Born still on his due date on 9 October 1998.

But still born and, in that emphasis, reasons for pride and joy not just sadness. And, without him, and what we learned from his passing, I wouldn't have his brother, Artie.

Enough said.

Baby Loss Awareness Week is now in its 22nd year. Its timing adds a certain poignancy but also provides the comfort that we all experience when we realise we're not alone.

And then you layer on World Mental Health Day, celebrated every year on 10 October.

When I reflect on my own mental health over the years, I'm reminded of Harold Macmillan's response when asked by a journalist what was most likely to blow governments off course:

Events, my dear boy, events.

Substitute "governments" with "mental health" and there's my story. I know I'm not alone in feeling "different", more or less positive, in response to the calendar: anniversaries, payment schedules, birthdays, Christmas, milestones, parties, Monday mornings...

The theme of this year's WMHD is "it's time to prioritise mental health in the workplace":

?? 15% of UK workers are estimated to have an existing mental health condition

?? mental health was the fifth most common reason for sickness absence in 2022/23.

Work can be good for our mental health, giving us a sense of purpose, boosting our self-worth, and providing a social framework.

But it can also be a source of stress and anxiety and contribute to developing or worsening mental ill health.

So, what can you do as a leader to support a mentally healthy workplace?

??Be curious about your staff. Do you know what's going on in their lives? Is there an "event" that may be impacting their work?

??Encourage open conversations about mental health. When we lost Ben, people's wariness about raising the subject, whilst understandable, made the situation worse. A cup of tea and a chat can make someone's day. Be the enabler. Validate how they're feeling.

??Tackle poor dynamics. Confrontation is sometimes the only way to address conflict.

??Ask how you can help. What can you do to "keep things normal"? Can you help to make an appointment, or make adjustments at work, or talk to colleagues on their behalf, even arrange for a shopping delivery?

??Know where to signpost. Whether occupational health or some other internal department, or the GP, or one of the many mental health charities, show the way.

Remember, kindness is doing what you can, where you are, with what you have.

#BabyLossAwarenessWeek #BLAW24 #WorldMentalHealthDay #WMHD24 #BeKind

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