Mental health at work

Thu 19 Oct 2023 14:00 to Thu 19 Oct 2023 15:30
Online Event - Exclusively for HR Network members

The management of mental health at work needs to be approached in a way that is informed, strategic and sensitive to individual organisational cultures. However, the vast and emerging evidence base about what effective practice looks like can be hard to navigate. Participants will be able to learn from the latest research about the best ways of supporting mental health at work, managing work-related stress and responding to employees affected by mental health symptoms. Online tools, training interventions and wellbeing services and products will be covered, including how to use them and when. Debate and discussion will be prompted about the role of different stakeholders in supporting the mental health of employees such as HR, line managers and employee representatives with lived-experience, with the intention of supporting delegates to identify what would work in their own organisational context.

Background

The stigma around mental health is gradually lessening, and, with that, there is an increasingly vocal debate about the approach employers should take to supporting mental health at work. There is a proliferation of sources of support including free guidance and tools, as well as commercial offerings such as training packages, mindfulness sessions, and occupational health apps and services. This can make it difficult for employers who wish to exemplify good practice to know where to turn and how to prioritise resources. Furthermore there is no ‘one-size’ fits all solution: organisational cultures and workforce attitudes to mental health vary considerably and starting points will also differ. The aim of the event is to equip delegates to approach mental health at work strategically, taking an evidence-based approach whilst also being sensitive to the needs of their own organisation and their progress to date.

Topics we will cover

Contextual factors (eg new ways of working after the pandemic, government policy, prevalence of mental health issues in different groups).
What being strategic means: factors that employers should consider in designing or updating their approach to supporting employee mental health and wellbeing.
Listening to what your employees are telling you and how to seek feedback sensitively.
Understanding organisational culture and why it should influence your approach to this area.
Forms of support in relation to (for example) risk management, improving mental health literacy, line manager responsibilities, HR policies.
Online tools, training interventions and wellbeing services and products, how to use them and when.
The role of different stakeholders in supporting the mental health of employees: how to invest in them and support them.
Policies, implementation issues and sources of further information.

Who should attend?

HR professionals and others with a remit for supporting workplace wellbeing.

How will delegates benefit from attending?

The aim of the event is to equip delegates to take a strategic, evidence-based approach to mental health at work whilst being sensitive to the needs of their own organisation. Participants will be able to learn from the latest research about the best ways of supporting mental health at work, managing work-related stress and responding to employees affected by mental health symptoms.

Timetable

14:00 Intro and welcome
14:05 Overview of topics covered and contextual factors
14:10 Being strategic, sensitive (and realistic) in formulating your organisation’s approach to mental health
14:15 [Introducing the discussion session] Organisational culture and different starting points
14:20 [Discussion in groups] What are the relevant aspects of your organisational culture? Where are you starting from? What have you learned from progress to date? What are your employees telling you?
14:35 Feedback from groups
14:45 Forms of support and the evidence base on what works, working towards best practice and ensuring your employees are on board
15:05 [Introducing the discussion session] Your stakeholders and their roles and responsibilities
15:10 [Open discussion inviting suggestions from the floor] Who are your stakeholders and partners in formulating or adapting your strategy, what do you need them to do and what kind of investment and/or support do they require?
15:15: Reflections on discussion and potential next steps
15:20 Policies, implementation issues and sources of further information
15:30 Close

Reserving your place

This event is available exclusively to HR Network members. Please email the HR Network Manager Emma Stewart-Rigby to secure your place as soon as possible.