Wellbeing and mental health

2. Wellbeing and mental health

3. Promoting a mentally well workplace Sue Bennett Learn2b Wellbeing and mental health

4. About Learn2b Learn2b is a nationally recognised programme, part of the county's Adult Learning Service. We use community learning to promote positive mental health and wellbeing throughout Northamptonshire. We’ve built a supportive educational programme to: • Provide an effective, service that enables individuals to make a difference to their lives • Provide a bespoke service • Support residents and employees to effectively balance all aspects of their wellbeing • Take a community-wide approach – draw on the very best of public, private and voluntary sectors to deliver a more holistic approach to health and wellbeing Supporting businesses to become healthier workplaces

5. Aim of the Workshop • To give snapshot overview of mental health • To question current thoughts and awareness of self, others and workplace • To open up discussion around a ‘mentally-healthy workplace’ • To explore the use of Learn2b as a resource for supporting absent individuals or return to work

6. True or False

7. What is mental health? Mental health is: The way we think The way we feel Our sense of wellbeing

8. Mental health is the emotional and spiritualresilience which enables us to enjoy life and to survive pain, disappointment and sadness. It is a positive sense of wellbeing and an underlying belief in our own, and others, dignity and worth. Health Education Authority 1997

9. At any given time 1 in 6 working age adults have symptoms associated with mental ill health (e.g. sleep problems, fatigue, etc.) which do not meet the criteria for diagnosis • A further 1 in 6 working age adults experience diagnosable mental health conditions (e.g. depression, anxiety, etc.) at any given time • In 2009/10 it was estimated that unsupported mental health problems cost UK businesses £30.3bn per annum – equivalent to £1206 per employee per year • Centre for Mental Health

10. Mentally-unhealthy Workplace • Management think that employees with mental health illnesses will fail to return to full productivity. • Members of staff are labelled as unpredictable, weak and erratic.  • Employees with a condition said they have felt under pressure to resign and more than half believed their illness had harmed their chances of promotion. • One in five managers avoid talking to employees with mental health illness altogether.  • Other ailments are reported for absenteeism rather than stress, anxiety or depression.

11. Mentally-healthy Workplace • Management are trained in mental health first aid enabling staff to recognise signs and symptoms and to support employees. Having the confidence to hold the conversation! • Members of staff encouraged to talk about their wellbeing at KIT meetings and have agile working policy where possible. • Wellbeing is a standard agenda on supervisions/1:1’s and importance played on breaks. • Those who make mental health a priority see the benefits in terms of increased staff productivity and morale; and decreased sickness absence. • Use of recovery-led structured courses to support a return to work or an individual who is absent alongside any therapies/medication etc.

12. Steps to Recovery

13. Workplace Success • Corby Borough Council – over 60 managers have completed Mental Health First Aid (Lite) training including HR, Depot Managers, Team Leaders and Head of Operations. Next steps – 2 day training to promote the use of Ambassadors within the workplace • Weetabix – Spotlight sessions on mental health awareness, sleep and stress management delivered as part of their 12 month wellness programme. This has identified a need to do more within the workplace around shift management. Next steps – mental health first aid training • Northamptonshire Police – over 46 serving members of staff including senior officers trained in Mental Health First Aid. Learn2b used as a resource to support individuals on long term absence due to poor mental health • Northampton General Hospital – a 3 month programme is currently running to support staff wellbeing – mindfulness, sleep and stress management

14. Learn2b as a Resource • Free courses are offered to support individuals currently off from work with any form of mental health related condition • Learn2b are looking for volunteer companies to pilot co-produced courses to assist individuals gradually return to work

15. Training for the Workplace Delivered by accredited trainer and MHFA Workplace Associate we can offer: MHFA ½ day course for Managers/Supervisors MHFA for Adults – 2 day course – ideal for HR/ H&S personnel MHFA Youth – 2 day course – ideal for Schools/Youth Workers/Sports Coaches

16. Thank you! Any questions?