EMPLOYMENT, SKILLS AND REHABILITATION SPECIALIST PUTS MENTAL HEALTH DISCUSSIONS AT THE HEART OF THE WORKPLACE
EMPLOYMENT, SKILLS AND REHABILITATION SPECIALIST PUTS MENTAL HEALTH DISCUSSIONS AT THE HEART OF THE WORKPLACE
SEETEC GROUP SUPPORTS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK
From 13th – 19th May, businesses across the UK will be actively taking part in Mental Health Awareness Week to help those affected by mental health issues in the workplace.
Seetec Group is encouraging employers to do more in the workplace to not only support those in need of help, but also to embark on activities that bring about a positive change to improve overall mental wellbeing.
This year, to coincide with the Mental Health Foundation’s campaign message of ‘Five Steps to Positive Mental Change”, Seetec will be working to recognise each element of the cause to spearhead change and set an example across the business.
In 2019 Mental Health Awareness Week is asking individuals to look at whether they are surviving or thriving.
It recommends taking five steps to better mental well-being:
- Connection
- Getting Active
- Being Mindful
- Learning, and
- Giving to Others
For each day of the week, Seetec will take of these key factors and promote them throughout the business.. There will be a number of activities for staff to get involved with including yoga, mindfulness seminars, well-being walks, tea & talk sessions and donations to charity.
As well as the activities planned specifically to support Mental Health Awareness Week, Seetec encourages its workforce to be open about their mental health all year round. The 1,500 strong workforce is supported by almost 100 dedicated mental health first aiders, so anyone working within the Seetec Group has access to fully trained specialists they can talk to whenever they need.
Claire Illingworth, Seetec’s People Development Consultant, said:
“Mental Health Awareness Week is a cause we are proud to support every year. As a business, we do as much as possible to address issues faced with mental health in the workplace. It’s a huge part of what we do. Whilst we are beginning to see a positive change with a number of employers we work with, so much more can be done to break the stigma and go that extra mile to help people feel happier and healthier at work. We’re hoping our activities throughout the week will really get people thinking about the importance of this and how they can start regular conversations about mental health that could help their colleagues.”
The Seetec Group is made up of a number of employment , apprenticeship and rehabilitation specialists including apprenticeship training specialists, Outsource Vocational Learning , disability employment specialist Pluss, and Kent ,Surrey and Sussex Community Rehabilitation Company.
Asher, aged 30, turned to Pluss when she struggled to find work following some health issues. Like many people, Asher, found mental health struggles were affecting her career and didn’t know where to turn.
She talks about her journey and how she came to find Pluss “I was brilliant at my job and I used to be in charge of my own team.”
Things then started to change which led to some challenges for Asher. “Due to company changes and increased workload, I was unable to manage my health. I was signed off sick for a long time. I found it really hard to find work because my confidence had hit rock bottom. I didn’t realise it was depression. Six months of being out of work, I had lost touch with what I once knew to be able to do the job.”
Pluss helped Asher to get her confidence back. “My change coach is absolutely fantastic, she made such a difference in my life. I was treated with utmost respect and felt very comfortable. During my time with Pluss, I was offered a full-time position trainer at the local college which is a brand new start for me.”
“Now my outlook has changed. My family are over the moon and have immediately seen the change in me – they are happy to have me back. I can’t wait to start work.”
John Baumback, Managing Director at Seetec comments
“We’re thrilled to be supporting Mental Health Awareness Week once again – we recognise how vital it is to be open in the workplace about mental health and we want to open the forum to encourage not only ourselves, but other businesses to do the same. The importance of using our expertise across our wide breadth of customer helps us to support and guide those who need it most. We want to thank everyone who has made a conscious effort to honour Mental Health Awareness Week and hope to create a positive shift by the work we do.”
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