Mental Health Support
Mental Health Support
It can be scary when an employee comes to you worried about their mental health, but remember, there are resources available to support both you and them. Have a look at the information below and if you need further support, contact the People Team on 01604 931 579.
There are a number of resources available to employees in supporting good Mental Health.
Employee Assistance Programme
Kew Green Employees have the benefit of immediate access to a confidential telephone counselling and legal information service that operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The experienced, professional counsellors can help with a wide range of personal and work related problems at any time of the day or night. The counsellor will ensure that you have the time to talk through your concerns and feelings, helping you to clarify the practical and emotional issues and providing information when appropriate. No information on any calls will be fed back to the company unless there is a serious risk of harm to yourself or others.
Call 0333 400 0545 and quote 73085
HapiHub Benefits
All employees have access to an online health portal provided by Health Assured via our HapiHub benefits. This includes lots of information and support resources for both physical and mental wellbeing. You can access this through your Hapi App or by logging in through the desktop and going to the site here.
From Kew To You
Check the Mental Health page on From Kew To You to find updates on new resources.
Mental Health First Aiders
There are a number of trained Mental Health First Aiders within the company ready to support colleagues who are struggling. Speak to your AGM or DOO for more information on how to get in touch with one close to you.
Depression: A Compassionate View - Free Online Course
Work and Mental Health - Free Online Course - In this course you will look at some of the ways in which employment affects mental health and what can be done to support people in finding and keeping work.
The "Helping Someone Else" Page on the Mind Website contains information and practical advice for supporting employees mental wellbeing both generally and in relation to a number of specific conditions and circumstances
Further training is available on a variety of mental/physical wellbeing matters in the Webinars section of the Health Assured website accessed through your Hapi App or desktop site. Follow Wellbeing > Online Health Portal > Click Here > Webinars.
Click below to learn more about the the possible signs of employees suffering from mental health issues. This information is taken directly from The Health Assured Website available to all employees via our Hapi Benefits.
Being aware and able to spot the symptoms of employees who could potentially be suffering from mental health issues is a valuable ability to have as an employer or manager.
Not only will it allow you to offer help and care to your staff early on, but it will also potentially change their life and make a positive impact. It is important to remember that everyone’s experience with ill mental health is different, so symptoms can vary from person to person. However, there are some common signs to look out for regarding an employee’s wellbeing.
If you do spot one of these signs, it does not necessarily mean that someone has a mental health issue. It could signal an underlying health problem or something else entirely. However, it is always worth talking to any staff members who you are concerned about. Read below to find out some of the most common symptoms of mental health problems at work, and ensure that you or any managers are prepared to help any employees who may need it.
Physical Signs
Some of the most common and visible signs are as follows:
Panic attacks – A panic attack can be an incredibly frightening experience and several physical symptoms can happen all at once. Someone who is suffering a panic attack may begin to shake, sweat, struggle to breathe or experience a choking sensation. They may feel as if their heart is pounding at a rapid rate or that they can feel pain in their chest. This may cause them to feel as though they are having a heart attack, or going to die. Panic attacks can be associated with mental health problems such as anxiety or panic disorders. These can be eased with professional help and/or medication, making day-to-day life much easier.
Fatigue – If you have noticed that a certain employee seems to be suffering from constant tiredness, and seems unable to function to their full potential due to this, they could be experiencing fatigue and may benefit from support.
Appetite and weight changes – A sudden increase or decrease in weight, or appetite, could be a warning sign that an employee’s wellbeing is suffering.
Psychological Signs
Psychological signs can be more difficult to spot and therefore may require you to be more attentive towards employee wellbeing in the work place. These psychological signs can include:
Lapses in memory – Memory lapses can be one of the more noticeable psychological signs in a person and can often lead to confusion or disorientation.
Distraction and confusion – While it may be hard to spot these symptoms in your team, you may have concerns that one of your employees is suffering but paired with any other signs, it can signal that there is a mental health problem occurring.
Tearfulness – Noticing that a team member is tearful can signal problems in their personal life or perhaps they may be suffering from stress or ill mental health. Regardless of the reason, they may benefit from someone to talk to or support from their co-workers.
Behavioural Signs
Behavioural signs of someone struggling with mental health can be:
Anger or aggression – Increased irritability or anger in an employee can be a tell-tale sign of anxiety or other disorders, especially if this is an employee who usually has a calm and collected personality.
Risk-taking – If an employee has begun to take risks that seem out of character, or appears to be making more impulsive decisions without thinking through the consequences, this can be an implication of bi-polar disorder or schizophrenia. Disorders such as these will require the help and support of a professional.
Increased absence – Notable increased absence in an employee may initially lead you to disciplinary action, however, before this you may want to consider speaking to them to ensure they’re not facing personal issues. Offering help and support to your staff may help to decrease absence if there is an underlying cause.
You now have some more information about some of the potential signs of ill mental health, therefore you can look out for these within staff and offer any necessary support.
The below information is taken from the Mind's "How To Support Employees Experiencing A Mental Health Problem." Download the full document for more information. Lots of useful information and resources are available on the Workplace section of their website, here.