MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK IN THE UK

9-15 May – Loneliness is the theme for 2022

We all feel lonely at some point in our life, but if it persists for a long period of time then it can start to affect our mental health.

There are many causes of loneliness, bereavement, being single, unemployment, long-term health issues, being bullied, being a carer for a relative, being from a minority group. Usually (but not always) the people who know us will know if we fit one of these profiles but will they think we are suffering form loneliness?

Look at the people around you, those who are there every day but you don’t really see. Think about how they seem, act, and communicate, could they be lonely. 5 minutes of your attention, perhaps a chat over a cup of tea, one on one, might make someone’s day. They say we don’t ever know what others are going through in their private lives and that’s rarely truer than in a work environment but if we look, if we want to see, then we will notice that someone is not their usual self. A meaningful conversation is sometimes all it needs to turn that around. So, take 5 minutes just once this week to talk to that person, to have that conversation. If we all make the effort, we can make a difference.

As employers we can take bigger steps, we can train people to notice, to see what others don’t see, and give them the skills to help.

We can teach all our staff about Mental Health Awareness, giving them the forethought to consider those around them and understand the signs of someone is struggling.

We can train Mental Health First Aiders to recognise Mental Heath Conditions, to have that meaningful conversation and also to help develop a workplace that promotes better Mental Health.

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For help with issues related to Mental Health & the Loneliness Awareness week:

Its no surprise that the most successful business are those that consider the Health, Safety and Wellbeing of their most valuable asset – their staff.

Safety is not expensive, its priceless.