Mental Health Awareness Week 2024
Mental Health Awareness Week 2024 #NoMindLeftBehind
Last week (13 – 19 May 2024) was Mental Health Awareness Week and the Charity Mind have launched #NoMindLeftBehind.
As an employer you have a duty to consider your employees mental health every day.
Mind states that that ‘Every year, 1 in 4 of us will experience a mental health problem. But too many of us aren’t getting the help we need’ and goes on to explain that ‘over 2 million people are waiting for NHS mental health services, and since 2017 the number of young people struggling with their mental health has nearly doubled’.
We recognise that there are a wide range of mental health conditions which will affect each individual differently. On that basis, our Employment law team briefly outlines ways your business can support its employees.
Looking after your employees
As an employer you could:
- Regularly check in with your employee and ask if they have any wellbeing concerns. It is key to maintain strong communication and know your staff well;
- Offer mental health support – Employee Assistance Programmes can provide support on personal and work-related issues in order to increase your employee’s wellbeing. It is key that all employees are aware of such programmes and know how to access the same;
- Disability – under the Equality Act 2010, a disability is defined as a mental or physical impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person’s ability to carry out day-to-day activities. Employers must make reasonable adjustments when:
- they know, or could reasonably be expected to know, someone is disabled
- a disabled staff member or job applicant asks for adjustments
- someone who’s disabled is having difficulty with any part of their job
- someone’s absence record, sickness record or delay in returning to work is because of, or linked to, their disability
- When onboarding new employees, try to help them make new connections. For example, a buddy scheme is a great way of doing this to ensure they feel supported at work.
Charities
Suffolk Mind can be contacted on 0300 111 6000 or [email protected]. Their support includes a wide range of courses, training and therapeutic services which can enable you to better understand mental wellbeing and how you can help improve or maintain your own.
CALM – The Campaign Against Living Miserably, for men aged 15 – 35. CALM can be contacted by telephone on 0800 58 58 58 (www.thecalmzone.net)
Samaritans – Confidential support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair. The Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 (www.samaritans.org/)
How we can help
As an employer, if you require assistance supporting employees, please contact Annalie King, Partner and Head of Employment law team or Rosie Brighty at Kerseys Solicitors in Ipswich on 01473 213311, Kerseys Solicitors in Felixstowe on 01394 834557 or Kerseys Solicitors in Colchester on 01206 584584, alternatively can email us at [email protected] or visit our website and click “Call Me Back”.
You are not alone. Kerseys Solicitors HR Services & Employment Law Team are just a click away visit our website and click “Call Me Back” and a member of our Employment Law team will be happy to contact you at a time that is convenient to you.
