Identifying and supporting mental health issues in our workplaces - Manchester Mind

1. Identifying and supporting mental health issues in our workplaces - Manchester Mind manchestermind.org.uk

2. We’re Manchester Mind, your local mental health service We provide free services to help people get back on their feet, develop ways of coping, build skills and confidence, and get the advice and support they need Our vital work is supported by organisations and individuals across the city We also provide workplace training and outside catering through our social business Good Mood Food

3. Why are we here? • Identifying common mental health issues • Organisational responsibilities • How we can support our colleagues

4. What do we mean by mental health? • Mental Health includes both good mental health and mental health problems • WHO ‘a state where every person realises their own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life and is able to make a contribution’ • Mental Well-being describes how you are feeling and how well you cope day to day with life. Changes day to day. Contributes to mental health

5. More than 70% of people have experienced mental health problems at some point in their life.

6. We probably all work with someone experiencing a mental health problem

7. A recent survey by Unite found that 4 out of 5 workers in the charity sector have suffered workplace stress in the past 12 months, and 42% felt their job was damaging their mental health

8. What is mental illness? • The term ‘mental illness’ covers a wide range of conditions • This can include illnesses like schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder and psychosis • Most common types of mental health problems are: depression and anxiety disorders

9. Anxiety • Overwhelming fear or unease • Sweating • Panicky – racing heart • Tearful • Wanting to escape • Not wanting to socialise • Isolating yourself

10. The World Health Organisation says that by 2020 depression will be the second most common cause of ill health after heart disease

11. Depression • Low mood • Loss of interest and pleasure in things • Tearfulness • Sleep problems • Irritability and/or mood swings • Feelings of helplessness • Life not worth living • Feeling suicidal

12. Mental Health at Work • Many mental health problems at work – not just caused at work but brought to work and experienced there • Employment can have positive and negative effects on our mental health

13. Activity • In small groups, think about how ‘Mental health’ is viewed in: • Your Organisation’s culture • Your employee’s experience • Attitudes expressed towards Mental health

14. Mental Health and the workplace Good quality work is generally shown to be good for mental health Three key areas influence the wellbeing of employees: • Organisational culture • Employee experience • Attitudes to Mental health Waddell & Burton 2006: Is work good for your health? Poor quality work makes MH worse Butterworth et al 2011: The Psychosocial Quality of work

15. 15 Stress at work • 54% Poor management, 52% workload, 47% Lack of manager support, 47% Unrealistic targets, 27% Redundancy treat Mind Wellbeing at Work 2015 • Long term stress can make you feel constantly tense and unable to relax - physical and emotional impact

16. Legal responsibilities • Employers have a ‘duty of care’ under UK law, to protect the health, safety and welfare of all their employees • Protection from discrimination for those with mental disorders or impairment • Substantial, adverse and long term effect on day to day life • More than a small effect on everyday life • Makes things difficult for you • Has lasted at least 12 months or is likely to happen repeatedly (Health and Safety at Work Act 1984, Equalities Act 2010)

17. What can Employers do? 1. Produce, implement and communicate a mental health at work plan 2. Develop mental health awareness among employees 3. Encourage open conversations about mental health and the support available when employees are struggling 4. Provide employees with good working conditions 5. Promote effective people management 6. Routinely monitor employee mental health and wellbeing Thriving at Work: Deloitte 2017

18. Identifying colleagues staff who may need support What sorts of things might alert you to a colleague who may be struggling?

19. How do I know if someone’s experiencing a mental health problem? We all experience mental health problems differently Not always any outward signs Need to know people well enough in your team to be able to spot changes to physical state, moods, behaviour, motivation levels

20. Isolation Cancelling arrangements Withdrawn Less chatty Fluctuations in weight or appetite Mood swings Irritability Distracted “I had always wondered why I felt so different. Asking myself “why?” for the past 4 years had I often had feelings of sadness, loneliness and despair”

21. What can you do if you think someone is struggling? • Ask them how they are – give them space and time to talk honestly • Make a cuppa – small acts of kindness can mean a lot • Look out for changes in behaviour • Acknowledge feelings and ask if you can help • Active listening

22. What can you do for your own mental health? • Looking after our mental wellbeing keeps us resilient and less vulnerable to mental health problems • Allows us to improve our own wellbeing • Allows us to adapt the way we view situations • Perspective taking – realistic but optimistic • Allows us to be active rather than passive • Build on existing strengths and assets

23. What we offer • Mental Health awareness. Half day or 1 day • Mental health first AID (2 days) • Wellbeing at work: Half day or full day. Practical tools to manage stress and wellbeing. • Short taster wellbeing sessions • 8 week Mindfulness for stress courses. Reduced rate for people working in voluntary sector Contact Training@manchestermind.org for quotes and more info

24. Getting help… • At first contact: • Your GP • Someone you trust • Mind Infoline 0300 123 3393 or use online resources at www.mind.org.uk • In an emergency or crisis: • Your GP • Accident & Emergency • Samaritans - http://www.samaritans.org

25. Manchester Mind Zion Community Centre, 339 Stretford Rd, Hulme, M15 4ZYinfo@manchestermind.org manchestermind.org 0161 769 5732 Twitter @manchestermind

26. Any questions?