World Mental Health Day
The World Health Organisation recognises World Mental Health Day on 10 October every year. This year's theme set by the World Federation for Mental Health is suicide prevention.
Across the UK, one in six people in the past week have experienced a common mental health problem, such as anxiety and depression. Around one in four people will experience a mental health problem this year yet the shame and silence can be as bad as the mental health problem itself. Your attitude to mental health could change someone’s life.
Many people who live with a mental health problem or are developing one try to keep their feelings hidden because they are afraid of other people’s reactions. Sometimes we say we're fine when we're not. So, we're asking you, if someone you care about is acting differently: ask twice.
Play the above video to hear Dr Shaun Davis, our global director of safety, health, wellbeing and sustainability, talk about the importance of mental health awareness and the support that we as a business, can offer colleagues.
One in five adults has considered taking their own life at some point. Every suicide is a tragedy that affects families, communities and has long-lasting effects on the people left behind. It's the leading cause of death among young people aged 20-34 years in the UK and is the second leading cause of death among 15-29-year-olds globally.
World Mental Health Day is an opportunity for all of us to raise awareness of mental health issues and advocate against social stigma.
The day provides an opportunity for colleagues to add to the wider conversation around mental health issues that will be occurring on social media, television and elsewhere throughout this week and highlight the fantastic work we as a business, continue to do to support colleagues affected by poor mental health and address mental health stigma in the workplace.
We want everyone who works for Royal Mail to feel they can be open about their mental health and request support if they need it.
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 688 8777 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.
Colleagues can also visit www.rmgfirstclasssupport.co.uk to access hundreds of articles providing practical, impartial and up to date information on a wide range of topics. The website is supported by a team of professional advisors, who are available around the clock.
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.
Click here to download our Because Healthy Minds Matter list of support resources available to all colleagues and here for more information on achieving good mental health for all.
