World Mental Health Day

Today is World Mental Health Day, an annual reminder that mental health problems are widespread, at times disabling, and often hidden.

We want to use World Mental Health Day to remind colleagues to be aware of the importance of mental wellbeing; to feel comfortable talking about any mental health issues that may be affecting them, and the internal and external support services available to them.

Last year we launched our five-year mental health plan, 'Because Healthy Minds Matter'. The strategy has four main aims which can be summarised as follows:

• Increase awareness of mental health
• Decrease stigma and normalise mental health conversations
• Signpost and utilise the tools and support available, and
• Know where to go in a crisis.

The simple steps of ‘ACT’ can help us to better support ourselves and others.

• Acknowledge – If you or someone close to you isn’t their ‘usual’ self
• Communicate – If you are not feeling okay, speak to someone about it. If you are worried about someone else, ask them if they are okay and encourage them to talk. Take time to listen
• Take Action - Find out what support is available and encourage others to do the same.

ACT today and things can begin to get better. If we are unable to get the right help and support at an early stage we often learn to hide and mask our mental health problems, which in turn, can take up more of our energy to appear our 'usual selves'.

Many people who seek support wish they had sought and received that support earlier. This highlights just how important it is to speak to someone and get the support you need so that you can begin to feel good again.

We all have times when we struggle with life and sometimes, this can develop into something more serious. Taking the first step can be difficult, but remember, it's never too late to start the conversation.

Help is at hand

If you need help with your mental health, please speak to somebody about it. Remember the ‘First Class Support’ helpline is available by calling 0800 6888 777 for direct access to counselling services as well as to receive financial, relationship or legal advice. The helpline is fully confidential and available 24/7.

If you suspect that a colleague, friend or family member is suffering with their mental health, ask:

• Are you ok? How are you?
• Have you spoken to your doctor or considered speaking with a counsellor?
• Are you looking after yourself (sleep, nutrition, rest, enjoyment)?
• Do you know that there is support available?
• Let me know what else I can do to support you.

Go to the Feeling First Class portal (log-in or register with the code FFC1) and complete the mental health eLearning ‘Because Healthy Minds Matter’. You can also access helpful mental and physical health support content and complete the online stress tool.

Feeling First Class is available via www.feelingfirstclass.co.uk. You can also download the app from both iTunes and the Google Play store.