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showing total disregard for the mental health of rural workers, and the wider wellbeing of countryside communities.
“Unite will continue to offer support to its members through its Mental Health Awareness training, its campaigns to improve rural bus services and its commitment to ensure all employers recognise workers need to be safe, both physically and mentally.”
Unite understands that workplace stress, and the poor mental health it can lead to, should not be ignored. It aims to support reps by providing tools that will help them reduce and prevent stress and promote good mental health in colleagues at work, as well as educating and increasing awareness about mental health issues.
As part of this support Unite Education runs extremely popular mental health awareness courses for workplace reps and stewards. It has also produced a practical resource “Mental health guide for reps and negotiators” which highlights how trade union negotiation can help reduce stress.
Suz Muna is one of the team of Unite Education tutors who have been delivering the MHA training to reps and is a Lecturer at City of Bristol College.
As a tutor Suz hears first-hand accounts of the stress many members face, and its damaging impact on their mental health.
Suz explained. “Reps tell us that loneliness and isolation can be a big factor in declining mental health. Some seek solace in addictive behaviours such as gambling, drinking or drugs, which in turn has a negative impact on their self-esteem, physical, and mental health.”
The consequences can be extreme, ultimately leading to workers contemplating suicide in some cases.
Throughout the training reps share experiences, good practice and ideas. Many say that this has helped identify support organisations, coping strategies and, most importantly, ways to negotiate better conditions with the employer to improve mental wellbeing
19 uniteLANDWORKER Winter 2023/24
Reps tell us that loneliness and isolation can be a big factor in declining mental health. Some seek solace in addictive behaviours such as gambling, drinking or drugs, which in turn has a negative impact on their self-esteem, physical, and mental health
Unite Education tutor
” Suz Muna
at work. The course also helps reps develop skills to support colleagues by recognising and understanding the symptoms of mental ill health, and highlights practical tools like mental health audits, mental health risk assessment, negotiating and campaigning skills.
Suz summed up. “The mental health awareness courses are good add-ons for workplace, health and safety, and equalities reps as they overlap with all three roles and I'd strongly recommend coming along to the training.”
Find out more Unite runs mental health
awareness training in all its regions and to find out more go to the Unite Education website.
www.unitetheunion.org/why- join/member-services/educatio n/training-and-courses
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