determine the ‘Ten Top Tips’ for promoting a healthy workplace. These include the importance of strong leadership within an organisation, nurturing a culture that is open and supports diversity and wellbeing, with an emphasis on prevention rather than cure. Delegates also identified the benefits that can be derived from providing Mental Health First Aid training in the workplace and this is something that Mind Jersey is now equipped and keen to deliver.
People don’t talk about it – the culture of silence Campaigning for improved understanding about Mental Health, through the provision of information and advice are central to our endeavour to reduce stigma. And yet a major cause of stigma and prejudice is that people just don’t talk about it. Nine out of ten people who experience mental health problems say they face stigma
and discrimination as a result.
Work is often cited as the most stressful factor in peoples’ lives with one in six workers confirming that they are dealing with anxiety, depression or stress. Yet most employers have no mental health policy that could help their staff sustain good mental health and reduce levels of absence due to ill health. Mind Jersey is, therefore, campaigning to make good mental health core business for employers in an environment where everyone is supported appropriately when they are experiencing a mental health problem. We believe that open and supportive workplaces benefit everyone – employees, employers and the bottom line.
Breaking the silence – the tide is turning We are hoping that there will be a breakthrough soon, with more people feeling able to be more open about their own mental health. In recent years there have
been other welcome examples of how society, as a whole, can make significant shifts in attitudes and beliefs and we believe that the same can happen soon in regard to mental health and the importance on promoting wellbeing.
Efforts to promote mental wellbeing as an integral part of the curriculum in schools should help improve understanding and promote early interventions, should they be needed, as our young people mature. Our offer of Mental Health First Aid training to as many employers as possible should increase awareness and understanding of the importance of maintaining good mental health in the workplace which would be good for employees and also for employers.
We are also keen to exploit any other opportunities that may arise to promote our key messages. During 2015 we have
been delighted that ITV in the Channel Islands chose us and Guernsey Mind as their charities of the year and we have greatly benefited from the coverage, over an extensive range of areas, that this has brought us. The Parish of St Helier has identified one of its rubbish collecting vehicles that is to carry strong and simple messages about Mind Jersey as it makes its way around St Helier.
Whilst there are some signs that society is beginning to recognise the importance of addressing these issues there is still a long way to go and more that can be done. We are always on the lookout for other means of promoting our anti- stigma campaigns, increasing awareness and improving understanding and will be pleased to hear from anyone with ideas or offers of help.
We can be contacted via our website
www.mindjersey.org or by telephoning 07797 779177.
A Healthy Society
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