Founder Little Rising Ltd | Leadership and Confidence coach | NED at Bodega Bay Hard Seltzer | Creator of SEVEN and The Confidence Chronicles
For Mental Health Awareness Week, I chaired a panel event exploring how we can promote mental wellness and psychological security in the workplace. The event, co-hosted by Women in Public Affairs and Blakeney, was a vital discussion with a carefully curated panel of experts - Kai-Nneka Townsend, Gemma Byrne and Kadra Abdinasir - all of whom have dedicated their careers to this subject. While our panel didn’t have all the answers, one thing was clear: there is not enough action around this subject generally. Conversation is important, but action makes the difference. Employers should be more accepting of mental health challenges among employees and authentically communicate that ‘we are listening and figuring it out as we go’. The bleak issue of lack of mental health support from the Government also featured in conversation. Progress often feels slow and setbacks, such as the removal of the Mental Health Act, are frustrating and worrying. These vital conversations need to be escalated and prioritised in the political agenda. Perhaps with a general election now imminent, we could see support step up (please). It’s essential that we continue these conversations and share more and, more importantly, take meaningful action to promote mental wellness in our workplaces. Feel free to share any success stories for mental wellness in your culture below :) #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek #EmployeeWellbeing
