Mates in Mind

We're back taking over the Culture Hub stage at UK Construction Week in Birmingham on the 2nd of October! 🚀 Join us for the MIND OVER MATTER panel, where we'll explore mental health and wellbeing in the construction industry. 🧠💪 Hosted by Sam Downie, Managing Director at Mates in Mind, this insightful discussion features: 🔸 Nicky Thackray, Director at The Power Within HER 🔸 Leanne Chatt, Head of Communications & Marketing at SES Engineering Services 🔸 Zara Barrow MCIOB, Group Construction Director at Redrow 🔸 Liz Barclay, Non-Executive Director at CCA Global Don’t miss this important conversation on the 2nd of October! 🗓️ 🎟️ Get your tickets here: https://lnkd.in/eQRY3RG8 #UKCW #ConstructionWeek #MindOverMatter #MentalHealthInConstruction #WellbeingAtWork #DesignAndBuildUK #CultureHub #Birmingham2024 #MatesInMind

Employers have a duty of care to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of their employees, including mental health/stress. However, if you manage one of the 5.47mn SMEs in the UK, you will know how hard it can be to access the same resources as larger organisations. Therefore, at Mates in Mind, we have launched our new Champions Programme and are calling on medium and large sized organisations to support the small organisations and sole traders within their supply chains. Supporting supply chains to become mentally resilient is important as it benefits the employees, their employer, and the wider local community. Find out more about our Champions Programme: https://lnkd.in/eCTf7U68 #mentalhealthmatters #wellbeing #SMEs #WSPD #WMHD

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day.   2 construction workers take their own lives each working day.   Every death by suicide has a devastating impact, for families, friends, and communities.   Each year our amazing Patron, Michelle Wiles, brings together a community of people to celebrate the life of her much-loved husband, Chris, who died by suicide.   This year’s Shaggy Cup was another special day and we thank them so much for their support and courage in continuing to share Chris's story.     Trigger warning - this can be difficult to watch and was certainly not easy for anyone involved to create: https://lnkd.in/e2jUnrHs #WorldSuicidePreventionDay #WSPD #mentalhealth #mentalwellbeing #stress #StartTheConversation #KeepYourMatesInMind

Trigger Warning: The following post is about suicide. Today (10 September) is World Suicide Prevention Day. “Suicide will always be a permanent solution to what can be a temporary problem”. According to the Health and Social Care Committee, four in five suicides are by men, with suicide the biggest cause of death for men under 35. This is why it is important that we start conversations about mental health so that we can address the stigma that surrounds it and ensure that everyone can get the support that they need. This is why we are encouraging our supporters, partners and followers to start conversations about mental health not just as part of your activities to mark World Suicide Prevention Day, but every day. Let’s work together to help prevent suicide through building a culture of prevention. The awareness day was established by the International Association for Suicide Prevention and co-sponsored by the World Health Organisation, to ‘raise awareness around the globe that suicide can be prevented’. We agree. This is why we advocate for building positive mental health in and through work by creating a culture of prevention. This includes, providing all workers with the knowledge, tools and confidence to not only recognise mental ill-health in themselves but also in their colleagues. Through normalising conversations about mental health, it will remove the stigma that persistently surrounds it and empower more people to seek support if/when they need it.  Find out how to start the conversation by downloading the free resource pack and poster: https://bit.ly/WSPD24sm Please share this post so we can reach and support as many people as possible. #mentalhealth #mentalwellbeing #WSPD #WorldSuicidePreventionDay #StartTheConversation #KeepYourMatesInMind @WorldHealthOrganization

With World Suicide Prevention Day taking place tomorrow (Tuesday 10 September 2024), we have published the first part of our ‘how to optimise the mental wellbeing of those around you’ blog, which focuses on how you can support others, and how organisations can build a culture of prevention. You do not need to be a medical professional or mental health expert to support others, anyone can provide support when they spot someone who may be experiencing mental ill-health, or if someone is brave enough to reach out to you. This blog helps you to identify the signs of stress, anxiety and depression in yourself, and others; and provides guidance on how to start the conversation. It also provides organisations with strategies to implement in order to build positive mental health in and through work. Read ‘How to optimise the mental wellbeing of those around you – part 1’: https://bit.ly/MinMblog8 #mentalhealth #mentalwellbeing #WSPD #WorldSuicidePreventionDay #StartTheConversation

📣 Did you know that 2 in 3 UK tradespeople have misused drugs and/or alcohol to mitigate symptoms of mental ill health. On 1st April 2024, after battling with mental health challenges, alcohol and drug addiction, Jane’s son, Sam, lost his life to suicide, at the age of 27. This amazing family have pledged to channel their energy into raising awareness of mental health within the construction industry, which relates to Sam’s story. Jane wants Sam’s legacy to help promote honest conversations about the struggles that people are facing, the ways they are coping, and how, as employers and colleagues, we can all support each other. Eagle Fest took place on Saturday in Sam’s honour. It was a day filled with joy and hope, the sharing of memories, supporting each other with kindness, and without judgement, and of course, a great game of rugby. Jane told me how many men have opened up about how they are feeling as a result of the day. The event raised thousands of pounds, and the work of this incredible group of family and friends, in partnership with Mates in Mind, continues. It was a complete privilege to support and attend the event, and from one mother to another, I am in awe of Jane. If this has touched you too, please do reach out to me. World Suicide Prevention Day is a few days away on the 10th of September – Be a Mate. Be the Change ❤️

Fred Mills, Founder and Managing Director, The B1M, is joining us at the #Construction Summit at MAD World. Fred is participating in a panel which will discuss: ‘Where are we now and what needs to change?’ Read the interview with Fred in which he talks about why this event is topical, relevant and important for those that work in construction and what we can all do to improve mental wellbeing across the sector: https://lnkd.in/e2a7p4u7 Have you registered yet? If not, find out more about the Construction Summit taking place on 17 October in London, here: https://lnkd.in/ejixr8Ub Get Construction Talking Mark Pigou Claire Farrow Make A Difference Summits

As today, 5 September, is International Day of Charity and with World Suicide Prevention Day next week (10 September), we would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our supporters, fundraisers, partners and staff. We provide a free, 24/7 text service, BeAMate to 85258. It costs just £50 per day to run this important service which could, one day, support you, your colleague, friend or family member when they most need it. If you are able to contribute, please do so here: https://bit.ly/BeAMate24 #charity #mentalhealth #mentalwellbeing #internationaldayofcharity

Ever thought about the mental wellbeing of our future workforce? Apprentices and new entrants are not just the workers of tomorrow. They're the line managers and business owners of the future. I'm thrilled to be part of a panel discussing this crucial issue: THE IMPORTANCE OF SUPPORTING FUTURE WORKFORCE MENTAL WELLBEING. Yes, Its caps lock, but you know, its good to get your attention right. Here's what we'll explore: → How mental health intersects with the transition from school to college and work. → Why it's vital to create comprehensive, inclusive, and ongoing training programmes for all workers. → Practical steps employers can take to support everyone, including apprentices and new entrants. Why should you care? Because a legacy of wellbeing begins with us. The move from school to work is a massive life change. ▶️ It can be overwhelming and stressful. ▶️ Addressing mental health at this stage can make a world of difference. ▶️ Inclusive Training Programmes: It's not enough to just offer training. It needs to be comprehensive and inclusive. ▶️ Ongoing support is key. Join the conversation. Let's make a difference. Are you planning on attending?  https://lnkd.in/e5jejQJB

10 October 2024 is World Mental Health Day. This year the theme is 'It is Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace'. We wholeheartedly agree with this, which is why we advocate for creating positive mental health in and through work. This is why we work with organisations, of all sizes, to create a culture of prevention through providing all workers with the knowledge, tools and confidence to not only recognise mental ill-health in themselves but also in their colleagues. Through normalising conversations about mental health, it will remove the stigma that persistently surrounds it and empower more people to seek support if/when they need it. Be prepared - download our free #WMHD2024 poster and resource pack to start the conversation with your colleagues, friends, family and networks: https://bit.ly/WMHD24sm Be a mate. Be the change. #WorldMentalHealthDay #MentalHealth