Businesses urged to sign up to employee mental health scheme
Businesses of all sizes across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire are being offered the chance to boost productivity by working with the University of Derby to provide better mental health support for employees.
The Mental Health and Productivity Pilot will see the implementation of new workplace interventions at pilot organisations and the rollout of existing approaches in small, medium and large businesses across the Midlands Engine region.
The programme aims to:
● contribute to the reduction of mental health distress
● break down the barriers to accessing care faced by people experiencing mental illness
● support their continuation in and return to work
● make a positive contribution to organisational productivity, in terms of wellbeing and economic outcomes
The research carried out shows that employers recognise that understanding how to address mental health issues effectively can boost morale, engagement and motivation, but also reveals that they are not always sure where to obtain the help they need.
The pilot will link employers directly to initiatives such as Every Mind Matters, This is Me and Mental Health First Aid, which all provide expert guidance. Once embedded into an organisation, the guidance aims to help reduce the prevalence of mental health difficulties and increase productivity among the workforce.
Businesses taking part will be asked to commit to an initial meeting to discuss how the programme would work for their company, creating a roadmap for its success, and promoting their commitment to the pilot in the workplace.
