Mental health matters

Karen Sargeant on first aid for mental health in the workplace

It would be fair to describe events of the past few years as unprecedented, putting increased strain on our businesses, communities and personal relationships.

The pandemic, the outbreak of war in Europe, political instability and the cost-of-living crisis are all significant events with huge costs to our global economy.

But what of the cost to our mental health? These difficult times continue to pose a challenge and have far-reaching consequences on the nation’s health.

Instability and negative uncertainty are not conditions that most of us function well in. They typically create increased stress and anxiety, impacting all aspects of our lives.

THE COST OF MENTAL HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE

Before Covid-19, significant problems in the workplace with mental health had been identified. In 2017, the UK Government commissioned an independent review called ‘Thriving in Work’. Its primary aim was to review the role that employers could play to better support employees with their mental health to help them remain in and thrive through work.

The report revealed that the UK was facing a mental health challenge at work that was much larger than expected.

It identified that not only was there “a big human cost of poor mental health at work”, there were also “knock-on impacts for society, the economy and Government”, suggesting that employers were “losing billions of pounds because employers are less productive, less effective, or off sick”.

The report also highlighted a vision, part of which was to equip workers with “the knowledge, tools and confidence, to understand and look after our own mental health and the mental health of those around us” and to “dramatically reduce the proportion of people with a long term mental health condition who leave employment each year and ensure that all who can benefit from the positive impacts of good work”.

Now more than ever, we need to manage our mental health better and treat it with the same respect as our physical health. There has been a perception that poor mental health is a weakness and a sign that we might not be coping. We certainly do not want to send these messages to our employers. As a result, we have adopted coping strategies to keep our problems to ourselves. For many, it would be embarrassing to discuss difficulties such as struggling to find the money to put petrol in the car to get to work or not having a happy life at home.

These problems don’t stop when we walk through our workplace door. They niggle away and cause anxiety which prevents us from thinking clearly, make good decisions or being as creative and productive as we could be. Add to this the additional stresses the workplace places on us, and it’s not surprising that we are facing a huge mental health crisis.

If left unchecked, a build-up of stress impacts our nervous and immune systems. This results in low energy and an increased risk of infection and sickness, which almost certainly leads to time off work and an inability to care for ourselves or our families as well as we could or should. The links between good physical health are directly linked to good mental health, and the two are interchangeable. Nearly one in three people with long-term physical health conditions also have mental health problems.

LEADING THE WAY

In our growing aesthetics industry, which is focusing more and more on wellness, we should be leading the way and investing to make our workplaces kinder and healthier and one that positively influences our long-term health.

Employers have been under incredible pressure to keep their businesses sustainable with the added responsibility of keeping their staff at work. With poor work-life balance, burnout is a common problem. Under these conditions, relationships with staff and family become strained, and the cycle becomes self-perpetuating.

So, it makes sense to address these issues head-on and make the workplace a good environment for our health. A place to thrive and feel part of a community where we can achieve our potential and feel supported and valued.

The benefits of working in an environment where we feel comfortable being open and honest about our struggles and worries cannot be underestimated.

For several years, large corporates have implemented well-being programmes and support for their employees’ mental health. The reason? It saves them money, boosts productivity, attracts new talent and ensures they keep the staff they have invested in. What’s not to like?

This could sound like an impossible task, and even using the word ‘task’ means it’s another job to add to the long list.

But it can start with making small changes that create a positive shift in the workplace culture. A simple place to start is with the First Aid for Mental Health qualifications. First Aid for Mental Health is part of a Health and Safety initiative that supports employers and employees and prioritises mental health.

The main aims are to:

• remove the stigma of mental health

• change the culture towards mental health

• create kinder happier working environments.

Once trained, employees can better spot the signs and symptoms of mental ill health and provide immediate help. They would also offer a point of contact for colleagues who raise concerns.

They would also understand their own mental health and how it affects their health, relationships, and productivity.

The First Aid for Mental Health qualifications also support the health and safety executives’ mental health guidance. Organisations such as the Care Quality Commission (CQC) recognise safeguarding as a key priority for those that use the services they regulate, of which mental health and wellbeing are considered. The accredited courses fit within the CPD framework and appraisal systems.

This is why I created Charlie Oscar, a company that provides quality training focusing on mental health and corporate wellness. Our philosophy is simple, to be part of a positive change to create happier, healthier working environments where growth and success are supported and encouraged.

Our courses are open to individuals, businesses, corporates, schools and colleges, with various levels to suit all. They are led by industry-specific trainers working in collaboration with medical practitioners and business advisors, all with one primary goal: to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

By changing the culture around mental health and promoting acceptance and tolerance, the workplace becomes much healthier, building resilient and happier people.

Employers can make significant changes by incorporating mental health support in the workplace and initiating corporate wellness programmes and training.

KAREN SARGEANT

Karen Sargeant is the founder of Charlie Oscar, a training company dedicated to mental health and wellness in the workplace. She has been in the beauty and medical aesthetics industries for more than 35 years and now spends much of her time as a business consultant working with aesthetic and surgical practices. Info@charlieoscar.co.uk