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For many of us, work is a significant part of our lives. It is where we spend much of our time, where we get our income and often where we make our friends. Having a fulfilling job can be good for your mental health and general wellbeing.
We all have times when life gets on top of us – sometimes that’s work-related, like deadlines or travel. Sometimes it’s something else – our health, our relationships, or our circumstances. This can affect our work performance.
There is a role for all employers, managers and employees in creating thriving work communities. It is important to address mental health at work for those with existing issues, for those at risk, and for the workforce as a whole.
Many businesses and organisations already have wellbeing policies in place. However, this can often end up being a ‘tick box’ exercise with free yoga sessions, quarterly social drinks, meet the management sessions, running clubs and quiet spaces. Although there is a place for all of these, they do not address the real issues of mental health and wellbeing in the workplace.
Guernsey Mind have developed a new initiative to enable workplaces to create an environment where everyone can thrive. The Workplace Partnership provides theopportunity to work together with Guernsey Mind and take a stand against mental health stigma and discrimination.
This isn’t a badge or a certificate, nor does it involve any testing or application forms; it’s about pledging to make realistic, suitable actions within organisations to minimise mental health discrimination in workplaces and the wider community.
Studies show that 1 in 6 workers in Great Britain are impacted by mental health issues each year. Regrettably, mental health problems are all too common in workplaces.
The ‘Thriving at Work’ report points out that the UK is confronting a larger-than-anticipated mental health challenge at work. Poor mental health can have a domino effect on society and the economy, with employers bearing significant costs due to reduced productivity or absenteeism.
A 2022 Deloitte report indicated that costs associated with staff performance and absenteeism due to poor mental health are increasing dramatically. The report highlighted that up to 40% of turnover costs can be linked to mental health related issues but that for every £1 spent on mental health awareness and support, there’s a return of £5.30.
Guernsey Mind has developed the Workplace Partnership in order toprovide tools and support to local establishments and businesses to ensure the wellbeing of all staff.
With the Workplace Partnership, organisations select the package that aligns best with their needs, considering the size of the team and any existing wellness initiatives.
The journey begins with a comprehensive wellbeing survey for all staff, which provides valuable insights presented in a dashboard, along with verbal and written summaries.
Every team member will receive a link to the wellbeing survey. Guernsey Mind, in collaboration with local company CoEfficient, has developed this tool to gather high-quality data quickly. The survey focuses on the mental health and wellbeing of all staff. Asking them to fill in the confidential survey at the start of the partnership will help to identify any gaps and highlight issues that they are facing.
Together with Guernsey Mind, an action plan is then developed based on six core standards. The data from the survey will help decide where to focus time and efforts when completing this. Once the plan is ready, work can start towards improving workplace wellbeing by strategically allocating resources and efforts based on the data.
Guernsey Mind will be on hand to answer any questions about the Partnership over email and phone
They will share the news of the partnership on social media platforms and the Guernsey Mind website
A dedicated members area on the website will be regularly updated with relevant, timely information and detail all the partnering organisations
Guernsey Mind will assist with signposting to trusted training partners to fulfil learning and development needs that may be identified
All members of the Workplace Partnership will be invited to an Annual Workplace Wellbeing network event, with key speakers and learnings from other organisations
A discount on training products (depending on the package choosen)
If you would like to find out more about the Workplace Partnership, Guernsey Mind will arrange a meeting to come and discuss the options with you. Each Partnership is unique and can be tailored around your specific needs.
Signing up to the Partnership ensures that as well as the benefits your organisation will receive, you are also supporting a local charity, directly benefiting the local community. The funds raised will be used by Guernsey Mind to provide support to individuals and their families as well as raising awareness around mental health and wellbeing through various activities and training events within the Bailiwick.
The Workplace Partnership can be used towards the UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 ‘Good Health and Wellbeing’ which many organisations worldwide are aspiring to.
The mental health charity’s stated main aim is “to support the people of the Bailiwick, encouraging a positive attitude towards mental health and supporting mental wellbeing”.
If you need their help you can contact them directly by calling 722959 or emailing info@guernseymind.org.gg- no referral is needed.
Like all charity’s, Guernsey Mind relies on donations to fund its services. As a team our staff will be taking part in some of the charity’s fundraising events this year with our focus on training for the Mind 10K in September. Fancy joining us? Keep an eye on guernseymind.org.gg/ for details of all fundraising events as well as information on the support services and training offered.
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