As you may know, we’ve increased the ways that we are supporting you with your mental wellbeing at Thrive Tribe over the past year. We’ve provided 168 Sanctus Life coaching appointments for 62 or you, and 62 of you have also started using Silver Cloud, our CBT support partner.
Something we’re working on is making sure that everyone at Thrive Tribe feels able to speak about how they’re feeling. If you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed, whether the cause is your work or personal life, you shouldn’t feel like you need to keep silent. We want to equip all line managers with the skills to have supportive conversations with you, and in 2020 we trained the majority of heads of service and main contacts in Mental Health First Aid, here’s what some of them had to say about the training:
Why did you want to become a Mental Health First Aider?
“I want all of our staff to feel comfortable talking to us about stress, anxiety or depression…I hoped to support colleagues to feel more empowered and comfortable in talking about what is a very common and normal set of emotions.”
“It was important for me to learn more about mental health, so I can support (to the best of my capability) my colleagues in the wider team…There is so much stigma around mental health still, and in taking this course, it has given me more confidence to talk about recognising and supporting good mental health for all.”
“To know how to best support colleagues, family and friends who experience mental health issues.”
"To help me manage my own journey, increase my ability to have meaningful conversations with colleagues and family about how they feel & ensure that I can act appropriately if presented with a crisis situation."
Has, and how has your attitude towards mental health in the workplace changed?
“I’ve always felt very supportive towards mental health within the workplace having experienced challenges myself in my previous employment. The course has helped me to bring these conversations into regular catch ups to avoid the stigma or awkwardness that may have been traditionally felt.”
“I've always thought it was very important, and this course has confirmed to me there is time in the working day to consider and support mental health. I want my team and colleagues to feel supported at work,to be able to talk about something that is disrupting their life or work and that it's valid and heard.”
“Has made me even more conscious of how some of the mental health conditions might present at work and of how to recognise the not so obvious signs.”
“I'm more aware of the aspects of mental health and am always checking with people how they feel when I'm agreeing work requirements.”
Did the course change the way that you view your own mental health?
“It helped to normalise the experiences I have had.”
“Definitely made me aware of things that are going on for me. As a manager I often absorb the needs of others and that I can actually talk to my team about things that I am experiencing and seek support from them too. There is value in being honest in my own experiences with them, building stronger relationships and trust.”
“Yes, I'm much more considerate to myself as a consequence of greater awareness gained throughout the programme”
What would you say to a member of your team who is apprehensive about talking to you about your mental health?
“Everybody experiences mental health. Having gone through challenges myself I remember how I felt approaching my manager – not knowing how they would react or what they would think about me so I’m absolutely focussed on making sure my team members don’t feel like that. Anxiety, stress and depression can feel overwhelming and by talking things through, we may well be able to find a solution together that helps. I might not have all of the answers but together we can look into solutions or additional support to help.”
“Your mental health is a priority and I would encourage you to ensure that you find time each week to nurture your mental wellbeing. I would hope that you feel comfortable to come and talk to me if there is something you are finding difficult or you have experienced a traumatic event. I will do my best to support you and listen non-judgementally and with compassion.”
“I would say please find a way to talk to someone, even if they can't speak with me, but that I just want to help if they feel they can speak to me, I won't judge and completely understand that mental health is just another part of our human make up and should be treated in a compassionate way, just as physical ill-health would be.”
“Mental health applies to all, managing our mental health is ongoing for everyone and just the same as managing your physical health it takes constant awareness and attention. Discussing how we feel is an important aspect in managing how we feel, I would welcome the opportunity to have those discussions, but if the person remains apprehensive I would encourage them to talk to someone with whom they have the comfort to share.”
If you are experiencing poor mental health, you’d likely benefit from letting someone at work know, whether that be a close colleague or your line manager, please reach out. Don’t forget that Sanctus appointments are available for anyone to book here, and you can use SilverCloud at any time here(use code THRIVE2020 to join, once you account is set up you can use the mobile app). If you want immediate access to a counsellor, call 0800 012 1473 and quote HA121555 if prompted
Please get in touch with me if you have any and health and wellbeing related questions, comments or ideas at rosie.france@thrivingworkplaces.org.uk.
