Promoting positive mental health

The Department of Health advises that one in four of us will experience mental ill health at some point in our lives. It is therefore important that employers and their staff take steps to promote positive mental health and support those experiencing mental ill health.

Promoting positive mental health in your workplace can be hugely beneficial. Staff with good mental health are more likely to perform well, have good attendance levels and be engaged in their work.

We believe in workplaces where everyone can thrive.

We also believe in the role of employers, employees and businesses in creating thriving communities. Good mental health at work and good management go hand in hand and there is strong evidence that workplaces with high levels of positive mental health are more productive.

What are the laws surrounding mental health at work?

Most people with ongoing mental health problems meet the definition of disability in the Equality Act (2010) in England, Scotland and Wales and the Disability Discrimination Act (1995, as amended) in Northern Ireland. This means that some of these people with mental health problems are protected from discrimination and harassment and are entitled to reasonable adjustments to adapt to their job or work.

To be considered disabled under equality legislation, a person must have an impairment that has “a substantial, adverse, and long-term impact on their ability to carry out everyday tasks”.

Reasonable adjustments

A disabled person is entitled to ask for reasonable adjustments to their job or workplace to accommodate their needs, examples of these could be; changing work patterns or hours, flexibility to work at home where possible, access to remote working laptop and software to facilitate, excusing someone from work functions or specific social environments.

Future legislation

Following a presentation in October 2018 of a 200,000-strong public petition to Downing Street and the subsequent publication of an Open Letter to the Government from over 50 business leaders highlighting employer support for the issue, there was a debate held in parliament on the 17th January 2019 for the need to write Mental Health First Aid and wellbeing into law.

Businesses supporting the change include PwC, WHSmith, Royal Mail and Thames Water.

Sponsored by a cross-party trio of MPs, Luciana Berger MP (Lab), Norman Lamb MP (Lib Dem) and Johnny Mercer MP (Con), and supported by over 60 cross-party MPs, the debate follows calls from the public, employers and mental health campaigners for the Government to follow through on its 2017 manifesto pledge to change the law and put mental and physical first aid on an equal footing in the workplace.

How can we help?

We work in association with MHFA England to deliver evidence-based, accredited Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training courses, as well as bespoke courses.

The training is designed to reduce stigma and teach practical skills that can be used every day in the workplace. It teaches people how to spot the signs and symptoms of mental ill-health and provide help on a first aid basis.

• We work with you to develop the practical steps you can be doing now that will ensure they link into your long-term staff wellbeing plan to deliver benefits to your organisation.
• We are able to adapt our solutions to fit your organisations culture and staffing. We pride ourselves on being flexible and personable which will ensure positive and solution-focused outcomes for your organisation.
• We care about the impact of our training in your organisation. We take a holistic approach with you and your staff, offering additional support post-qualification including supervision and online communities.