Past HR Network Event
19 October 2023
Slides:
Mental Health at Work
Event Summary:
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. Participants learnt 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 were covered, including how to use them and when. The aim of the event was 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 covered:
- 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.