In this guest blog, Laura Galloway, from BPCA member company Contego, talks about how the negative impacts of Covid-19 restrictions inspired the business to appoint a mental health champion for employees.
2020 has been a difficult year for many and reports suggest a spike in the number of people suffering with ill mental health, due to the unforeseen situation that Covid-19 has created in the UK and the rest of the world.
We are living in unprecedented times, which many are finding tough to cope with.
At Contego, our employees are our family and we care about our family's health and well-being, especially during these difficult times. That's why we decided to make sure our Contego family had the best support that we could provide while at work, through our mental health champions.
Kirsty Taylor, our business development manager, has always expressed an interest in mental health and helping out in the community. She is always offering her team a sympathetic ear and has become the team's confidant when anyone is struggling with personal problems in the office.
Kirsty could see the impact the Covid-19 restrictions were having on her team, so she decided to put her name forward as one of Contego’s mental health champions.
Having suffered depression myself in the past, I recognise how important it is to get the right support
Kirsty Taylor, Contego
So that Kirsty was fully qualified to help her team with their mental health, she completed her CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Mental Health First Aid and Mental Health Advocacy in the Workplace.
This would give her the skill set to help her team to the best of her ability.
Kirsty is very excited to be Contego’s mental health champion, saying:
"Approximately 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience mental ill health each year. Having suffered depression myself in the past, I recognise how important it is to get the right support, but also that someone with poor mental health may not realise it themselves. I certainly didn’t.
"By being able to spot signs and symptoms of mental ill health we are able to provide the right support to those who need it. We are a team and right at the core of our values is to support each other. It’s only right that we treat mental health in the same way as physical health."
Kirsty continued: "My role is to provide non-judgemental support and reassurance, and signpost people to professional support where appropriate. One thing I will be doing is helping raise mental health awareness and cut the stigma around mental ill health."
Contego CEO Michael Taylor commented: “Contego are delighted that Kirsty has decided to be our mental health champion and I have no doubt that she will do an amazing job and she has our full support.”
RESOURCES
Employers
Self-care
Guidance for supporting your mental health while working from home
NHS – how to access mental health services
Anxiety UK
Charity providing support if you have been diagnosed with an anxiety condition.
03444 775 774
CALM
The Campaign Against Living Miserably, for men aged 15 to 35.
0800 58 58 58
Men’s Health Forum
A charity supporting men’s health in England, Wales and Scotland.
Mental Health Foundation
Provides information and support for anyone with mental health problems or learning disabilities.
Mind
Promotes the views and needs of people with mental health problems.
0300 123 3393
No Panic
Voluntary charity offering support for sufferers of panic attacks and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Offers a course to help overcome your phobia or OCD.
0844 967 4848
Rethink Mental Illness
Support and advice for people living with mental illness.
0300 5000 927
Samaritans
Confidential support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair.
116 123 (free 24-hour helpline)
GOT SOMETHING COOKING?
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Source: Contego press release