12/05/2021
It's Mental Health Awareness Week!
During the pandemic millions of us either experienced mental health
issues first hand or saw family, friends and work colleagues struggle.
Unlike a physical injury, mental health cannot be seen from the outside. We’ve come a long way to change the conversation and attitude to mental health, but there’s much more to be done.
You might not be talking about it, because mental health is still a taboo subject, but there are small, simple steps you can take to make your workplace mentally healthier. Research confirms that a culture of fear and silence around mental health is costly to employers.
All employers have a duty of care to their employees to follow all necessary precautions to ensure their mental wellbeing. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1992 requires employers to assess mental health work related issues to measure the levels of risk to their employees.
It is also important to ensure that, if an employee is operating or working in close proximity to heavy plant and equipment, they are in the right place mentally to remain focussed on the task and are equipped with appropriate PPE.
Starting a conversation about mental health doesn't have to be difficult. 'Mind' provide advice and support for employers looking to increase their knowledge of mental health.
For more information visit:
www.mind.org.uk