Mental Health Awareness Week

14/07/2017

Mental Health Awareness Week will run from 8-14 May 2017.  The theme is ‘Surviving or Thriving’, and the focus will be to ask why so many people are living with mental health problems, rather than thriving with good mental health.

New research released by the Mental Health Foundation and employee benefits provider, Unum, reveals that people with mental health problems delivered a significant contribution (£226 billion) to the UK Gross Domestic Product (GDP) last year, working in a wide range of industries from construction to entertainment.

However, the research highlights a high level of stress experienced in the workplace and also suggested strategies for protecting and improving mental health at work. The survey found

86% of respondents believe that their job and being at work was important to their mental health

88% of those who had been diagnosed with a mental health problem in the last 5 years reported times where they had felt stressed, over whelmed at work.

39% of line managers who had no history of mental health problems indicated they had experienced significant distress, with 5% having been in work whilst experiencing suicidal thoughts or feelings.

A crucial factor in protecting mental health at work is the support they receive. The survey highlighted that:

58% of respondents had chosen to disclose their mental health condition and 54% had a mainly positive experience.

half of respondents who had disclosed a mental health condition had felt well supported by their manager.

We understand that it can be difficult for employers and managers to identify when an employee is experiencing common mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and feelings associated with stress. We understand that it can be even harder to know how to support that person. 

At Healthwork, our aim is to work collaboratively with our customers to support and promote the health and well being of their employee’s. 

We offer a wide range of health and wellbeing services/packages which include: 

Group work (including promoting self-help groups) A distinct advantage to this type of intervention is that it helps to shift the focus away from individuals to incorporate interpersonal and group processes and set the scene for exploring wider social and organisational concerns.  

Healthwork are delighted to be launching a facilitated group based workshop in September on responding and managing stress. It will run over 5 weeks and we are offering 8 free places to individuals. 

Individualised one to one therapy sessions

If you would like further details on the workshops or on any of the health promotion programmes that Healthwork have to offer please contact us on 0161 831 9701 or alternately visit our website www.healthworkltd.com