Tag: mental health awareness

4 October 2024
anxiety • autumn • employee mental health • employee wellbeing • loneliness • mental health • mental health at work • mental health awareness • self-care • sleep • winter • winter blues • winter wellbeing •

Bite-Sized Lunch & Learns for Autumn and Winter

We are excited to launch our new range of Seasonal Bite-Sized Lunch & Learns – a series of five x 30 minute winter wellbeing workshops for your employees to learn key tips and techniques for boosting their wellbeing throughout autumn and winter.  The sessions are delivered by our team of fully qualified and experienced professionals.

These shorter sessions offer a timely and accessible way of reminding your staff about vital self-care actions for staying well and productive over the colder, darker months.

Bite-Sized Lunch & Learns – 30 minutes each, live online for your employees

Combatting Loneliness in Winter: Loneliness and isolation are common experiences felt by a growing number of people, particularly over the autumn and winter months. Loneliness is a risk factor for anxiety, depression and low self-esteem.. This session looks at how loneliness can develop, and practical steps to bolster connection and a sense of belonging. Topics include: 

  • Intentional connection – how to boost engagement with friends, family and community
  • The importance of warmth and exercise
  • Conscious social media usage
  • Self-care for supporting mental wellbeing

Movement for Mental Health: Humans evolved to be active every day, but the colder months see most working people moving and exercising less, impacting mood and mental wellbeing and overall health. This session explores strategies for how employees can incorporate movement into break times, and find time for enjoyable, regular exercise throughout winter, bolstering both mental and physical wellbeing. Topics include:

  • The link between movement and  mental health
  • Stepping up outdoors activity in daily life
  • Gentle movement and stretching for stress relief
  • Mindful movement, flow state and resilience

Nutrition Basics for Winter: As we move into the autumn and winter there’s a shift what we desire and require in terms of food and nutrition. This session helps your employees to gain knowledge and skills for planning and preparing for eating well over the winter months for enjoyment, warmth, immune system, physical health and mental wellbeing. Topics include: 

  • When to consider supplementation
  • Immune-enhancing foods
  • Balancing your plate

Get Your Sleep Sorted: Good mental health is underpinned by heathy sleep, and in the winter months our sleep drive and sleeping patterns can change.  This short masterclass teaches the basics of becoming a “good sleeper” using psychology-based techniques – a highly successful method designed to combat insomnia, to cultivate the foundations of rest needed for good mental health wellbeing. Topics include:

  • Steps to become a good sleeper
  • From poor sleeper to good sleeper – the process
  • The psychological connection between bed and sleep 

Avoiding Anxiety in Winter:  Fewer daylight hours, a seemingly monochrome environment, the damp, the cold and the relentlessness of the winter months are often associated with depression, however the winter environment can be a trigger for anxiety too.  In this session, we explore a variety of anxiety reduction techniques, giving employees a toolkit to feel more calm and content during winter. Topics include: 

  • Boost your serotonin and dopamine 
  • Reframing anxiety – not an enemy to be defeated
  • The Mindful Pause – anxiety reduction in the moment
  • Grounding, and settling the mind

If you would like more information on these Lunch & Learns, please complete the form below:

8 August 2024
employee mental health • employee wellbeing • gen z • generation z • mental health at work • mental health awareness • work life balance • workplace counselling •

Understanding Gen Z in the Workplace

by Kitty Hannam

As Generation Z (those born between 1997 and 2010) enters the workforce in increasing numbers, they bring new perspectives and challenges that are reshaping workplace dynamics. From struggles with work-life balance and isolation due to remote working to navigating intergenerational differences in workplace etiquette, Gen Z faces unique hurdles in the workplace. 

Understanding these challenges, and the expectations that Gen Z has for mental health support and workplace flexibility, is crucial for creating a supportive and productive work environment that allows the pursuit of meaningful work.

The Challenge of Work-Life Balance

Generation Z has entered a working environment where the lines between work and personal life have become increasingly blurred. The shift to remote working, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has made it challenging for many employees to establish clear boundaries. With the workplace now as accessible as their own homes, Gen Z employees often find themselves working beyond typical hours whilst taking fewer breaks, leading to burnout and feelings of resentment. This constant accessibility can also create unrealistic expectations from employers, further exacerbating stress and dissatisfaction.

Intergenerational Gaps and Workplace Etiquette

A perenial issue for younger generations, one now facing Generation Z in the workplace, is the intergenerational gap in values and etiquette. Often, younger employees have different work styles and expectations compared to their established colleagues. These differences can lead to misunderstandings, unfair assumptions, and even hostile work environments. For example, while Gen Z might value flexibility and work-life integration, organisations may continue to prioritise traditional office-based work and established routines and time schedules. Bridging these gaps requires open communication and a willingness to adapt on both sides.

Isolation in Remote Work Environments

While remote work offers flexibility, it also poses challenges in terms of social interaction and relationship building. For many Gen Z employees, work is a primary source of social engagement and the lack of face-to-face interactions can lead to feelings of isolation and social anxiety. Building a sense of belonging and connection with colleagues becomes more difficult when interactions are confined to screens. Employers need to find creative ways to foster team cohesion and ensure that remote workers do not feel disconnected, whilst still allowing the flexibility inherent in hybrid-working.

Mental Health and Support in the Workplace

Mental health is a significant concern for Generation Z, especially as they navigate new professional environments. Many in this generation seek support for their mental health needs but often feel that their employers do not provide sufficient resources or compassion. This lack of support can be rooted in generational differences in how mental health is perceived and addressed, especially as widespread workplace mental health support is a relatively new phenomenon.  Creating a workplace culture that prioritises mental wellbeing and provides appropriate resources is essential for fostering a supportive environment that benefits all employees.

Pursuit of Meaningful Careers

Generation Z places a high value on finding jobs that combine meaning and opportunities for growth. They are keen on understanding how their current roles align with their future career aspirations. However, the uncertainty of navigating career paths, especially in these times of economic turbulence, can lead to pressure and frustration. Gen Z individuals want to ensure that their work has purpose and contributes to their personal and professional development. Employers should endeavour to offer clear paths for advancement whilst support their employees’ aspirations. This will help the organisation to retain talent and foster job satisfaction amongst Gen Z.

Generation Z brings fresh perspectives and expectations to the workplace, and understanding their unique challenges is vital for creating a harmonious and productive environment. By addressing issues related to work-life balance, intergenerational differences, remote work isolation, mental health support, and career growth, employers can better support their Gen Z employees. This, in turn, can lead to a more engaged, innovative, and satisfied workforce.

For more insights into the evolving workplace and strategies to support diverse teams, contact us at [email protected] or complete the form below.

1 May 2024
EAP • employee counselling • employee mental health • mental health • mental health at work • mental health awareness • workplace counselling •

Growth in specialist employee counselling service highlights shift away from EAP services

This year has seen the rapid growth in uptake of the in-house employee counselling services provided by Wellbeing Partners as companies organisations across the UK look for effective and sustainable approaches to supporting employee mental health.

This growth of workplace counselling reflects not only the acceptance of the need for organisations to support mental health at work, but also the realities that we face as employees and organisations in an uncertain world.

The past few years have been challenging to say the least.  The background uncertainty created by living through a pandemic, global insecurity as well as financial and environmental problems adds to the pressures of our personal and professional lives and the ongoing sense of flux has impacted not only the way we work, but our ability carry out our work effectively.

Here in the UK, the NHS mental health provision is experiencing unprecedented demand, with record requests for mental health services. Additionally, EAPs that were not created to cope with such levels of demand, are struggling and often failing to provide the necessary support for employee mental health issues. The inability of EAPs to cope has a knock-on effect, further burdening an already overstretched mental health service, and leaving employees with nowhere to turn for help.

A new approach is required, one that puts the needs of employee mental health at its core.  At Wellbeing Partners we believe that utilising our Workplace Counselling services is an efficient, effective and compassionate response to these issues and the workplace mental health demands of your team. Here are the main reasons why.

We are not an EAP: Wellbeing Partners are excellently positioned to offer the support that is needed and are set up to cope with demand in a way the EAPs are not. We are a dedicated service that has the skills, experience and personnel to realise what solution best fits the challenges faced by organisations.  Our Employee Counselling is a non-subscription, pay-as-you-use service that allows a greater flexibility for organisations and quicker access to mental health support for employees.

New Trend, New Approach: Responding to the mental health crisis requires a dynamic approach. Employee counselling is the emergent trend in workplace mental health, one that we have been using for many years with our clients. Our workplace counselling service is refined, effective and offers dedicated one-to-one appointments with staff in house or online to fit with their busy schedules.

Training and Experience: Wellbeing Partners are experts at providing workplace mental health and wellbeing support.  This is because we source and employee experts in their fields.  All our counsellors are BACP certified and, crucially, have at least 10 years’ experience in the field. They also all have extensive experience of providing employee counselling in professional settings and combine unrivalled training and experience that meets your needs.

Accessibility of Mental Health Support: Our Workplace Counselling offers a broad service that sees no problem as too big or too small.  EAPs find that because of demands placed on them they have to turn people away. Sometimes this is because their requests are deemed too small to meet the threshold for mental health support, or conversely, they are too big or complicated for the support they can offer. At Wellbeing Partners we welcome all employee mental health problems, offering a forum and safe environment for people to work through their challenges.

Prevention, Performance and Confidence: Our broad approach to challenges through our Workplace Counselling means that smaller issues can be dealt with before they develop into crises.  It means bigger problems get the timely support required to help people overcome them.  It increases people’s ability to engage in the workplace, to perform, whilst also receiving much needed support.  Our counselling also focuses on creating the framework and confidence that people need to maintain their mental health once the sessions are concluded, reducing likelihood of later relapses.

Employee Counselling is not a luxury, but an intelligent, supportive and economical response to mental health issues. It offers both short and long-term gains for individuals and organisations.  You may find it useful to introduce regular employee counselling sessions for employees, each led by a multi-qualified specialist.  Alternatively urgent employee mental health sessions can be booked on a case-by-case basis, providing a cost-effective, high-quality alternative to the more familiar EAP approach.

Learn more about our Employee Counselling services

Getting Started

12 March 2024
employee counselling • employee mental health • interpersonal counselling • mental health • mental health at work • mental health awareness • workplace counselling •

In-house Employee Counselling Service from Wellbeing Partners

Wellbeing Partners’ in-house employee counselling service provides the fastest and most effective solution for supporting the individual mental health needs of your employees, in your workplace or online.

Companies and organisations across the UK are finding their EAP services unable to cope with demand, many private medical insurers with waiting lists of more than 3 months for accessing mental health services, and an NHS completely overwhelmed with millions of adults on waiting lists of 18 months or longer, even for acute mental health issues.

This perfect storm of growing mental health issues and burnout across society combined with a lack of provision from the usual mental health support services is leaving employees without the support they need.

Wellbeing Partners’ In-House Counselling services is an efficient, effective and compassionate response to these issues and the mental health requirements of your employees. Here are the main reasons why:

We are not an EAP: Wellbeing Partners In-House Employee Counselling Service is pay-as-you-use service (not a subscription model) that allows great flexibility for organisations and fast access to mental health support for employees.

Your Own Team of Mental Health Professionals: Your organisation will be assigned a small and dedicated team of fully qualified and highly experienced counsellors who get to know your staff and are accessible at any time they are needed. Sessions can be offered in-person in your workplace, or online via secure video platform.

New Trend, New Approach: Responding to the mental health crisis requires a dynamic approach.  In house-counselling is the emergent trend in workplace mental health, one that we have been offering for many years with a large and growing list of workplace clients. Our in-house counselling service is refined, effective and offers dedicated one-to-one appointments with staff in-person or online to fit with their busy schedules.

Training and Experience: Wellbeing Partners are experts at providing mental health and wellbeing support in professional settings.  This is because we source and employ experts in their fields.  All our counsellors are BACP registered and with at least 10 years’ post-qualification experience. They also all have extensive experience of providing counselling and wellbeing coaching in professional settings and combine unrivalled training and experience that meets your needs.

Accessibility: Our In-House Counselling offers a broad service that sees no mental health issue as too big or too small.  EAPs are increasingly turning employees away if their issues are deemed too small to meet the threshold for mental health support, or conversely, they are too complex for the support they can offer. At Wellbeing Partners we support all your employees no matter what their issue, offering a forum and safe environment for people to work through their challenges.

Prevention, Performance and Confidence: Our broad approach to challenges in In-House Counselling means that smaller issues can be prevented from developing into crises and more complex issues receive the timely support they deserve.  Our counselling services focus on creating the framework and confidence that people need to maintain their mental health once the sessions are concluded, reducing likelihood of later relapses. In-House Employee Counselling is not a luxury, but an intelligent, supportive and economical response to mental health issues. It offers both short and long-term gains for individuals and organisations.

Learn more about our Employee Counselling services

Getting Started

9 May 2017
employee wellbeing • mental health awareness • mental health first aid • mental health first aid training • mental health training • MHFA •

Mental Health First Aid

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an internationally-recognised two day training course, designed to teach people how to spot the signs and symptoms of mental ill health and provide help on a first aid basis.

At Wellbeing Partners, we can provide the Mental Health First Aid training course onsite at your workplace, in four sessions over two days, for groups of six to sixteen participants per training course.  Everyone on the course is taught a set of skills which enables them to support anyone who is experiencing mental health issues.

Our fully-qualified and quality-assured Mental Health First Aid instructor delivers the training programme and is accredited by the Royal Society for Public Health.

The training is designed to fit into four manageable chunks of learning:

  • What is mental health?
  • Suicide and depression – recognise the signs, first aid for depression, how to help someone who is suicidal
  • Anxiety, eating disorders and self harm – recognising the signs, first aid, how to help
  • Psychosis – recognising the signs, first aid for psychosis

The course will teach participants a deeper understanding of all the issues that impact on and relate to people’s mental health; teach practical skills that can be used every day, including being able to spot the signs and symptoms of mental health issues.

Course participants will receive a Mental Health First Aid manual and workbook, along with a certificate confirming they are a trained Mental Health First Aider.

Independent research and evaluation shows that taking part in an Mental Health First Aid course:

  • Raises mental health awareness
  • Reduces stigma around mental ill health
  • Boosts knowledge and confidence in dealing with a person who may be experiencing a mental health issue
  • Promotes early intervention which enables recovery

If you’d like to arrange a Mental Health First Aid training course for your workplace, please get in touch with Nick Winfield at [email protected] or call 07773 767248.

 

 

27 June 2016
mental health awareness • when is world mental health day • World Mental Health Day • world mental health day 2016 •

World Mental Health Day 2016

This year, World Mental Health Day takes place on Monday 10th October, 2016.

World Mental Health Day was created by the World Federation For Mental Health to occur on the 10th October every year, with the overall objective of raising awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilising efforts in support of mental health. It is a day for mental health education, awareness and advocacy, all across the globe.

Stress-related mental health issues are rising at an unprecedented pace. By 2020, the World Health Organisation predicts stress-related mental health issues will be second only to heart disease in the causes of disabilities worldwide.

As workplace stress is a key contributor to these rising levels, it is vital that companies and organisations address workplace stress in a way that supports, educates and empowers employees to care for their own mental health, and to feel able to reach out when there is a problem. In the UK, 70 million days are lost from work each year due to mental ill health, making it the leading cause of sickness absence (Department of Health 2015).

The three central tenets for providing a duty of care to the mental health of employees are:

Awareness for all employees of stress-related mental health issues, the symptoms and underlying causes, and how to self-care;

Prevention of stress-related mental health issues through regular, effective workplace stress management and mindfulness programmes, accessible to all employees;

Remedy of mental health issues for employees who are struggling with workplace stress or personal problems – through accessible, on-site, confidential support services provided by fully qualified professionals.

How can your company use World Mental Health Day as a springboard for providing employees with a more mentally-healthy workplace?

Please get in touch if you’d like some ideas or to start a conversation around employee mental health in your workplace:

[email protected]

or visit our website at www.mindfulnessintheworkplace.org

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