Addressing the crucial issue of mental health support in the workplace, efforts have been made to enhance accessibility to resources and reinforce messaging surrounding wellbeing at work.
Following feedback from the Staff Survey indicating a lack of awareness regarding support for mental and physical wellbeing, initiatives have been implemented to streamline access to assistance. An electronic version of the Health and Wellbeing card has been developed, offering comprehensive information on avenues for support, including occupational health, bullying and harassment, mental health services, as well as pertinent information on EDIC and POD. This electronic version has been disseminated via email and displayed prominently on faculty screens and the official website. Furthermore, a proactive approach has been adopted, with the Dean sending out emails featuring the electronic card attachment, facilitating easy reference for staff members.
In addition to these measures, a renewed partnership with MIND, the mental health charity, has been established. In-person workshops conducted by MIND professionals have been organized, focusing on key topics such as understanding personal mental health triggers and recognizing signs of distress in colleagues. Furthermore, staff members were provided access to MIND’s online courses, supplemented by tailored sessions conducted by external trainers. These sessions integrated themes of bullying and harassment awareness with active bystander training, aiming to foster a supportive and empathetic workplace culture.
Feedback garnered from both the electronic resources and the workshops has been overwhelmingly positive, indicating a resonance with staff members and a recognition of the value of these initiatives.
Despite improvements reflected in the Staff Survey scores, there remains an ongoing commitment to reinforcing the importance of mental health support in the workplace. Moving forward, efforts will focus on continually reminding staff of the wealth of resources available to them, ensuring that mental wellbeing remains a priority within the organization.
