February 3rd 2022, is Time to Talk Day. The day is all about creating supportive communities by having conversations with family, friends, or colleagues about mental health.
In recognition of Time to Talk Day, Chemring Countermeasures UK in Salisbury are encouraging colleagues to talk openly about their mental health.
Throughout 2021 and ongoing, they have specially trained colleagues as mental health First Aiders to offer support and a safe environment for colleagues to talk about mental health – whenever they like.
To mark the day, they are distributing biscuits and business cards across the site with the contact details of their mental health First Aiders. They are also ensuring all colleagues are aware of the company Employee Assistance Programme, which offers specialist wellbeing support and advice.
Mind, the mental health charity, runs Time to Talk Day along with Rethink Mental Illness in England, in partnership with Co-op. Mental health is important for everyone and by talking about it we can support both ourselves and others.
Chemring Chief People Officer, Clancy Murphy says, “A large part of our experience at work is how comfortable we feel. This is both our physical comfort and our mental comfort. Whether or not we feel able to bring our whole selves to work and be authentic in our words and actions. Do I identify with my colleagues? Do I feel like the odd one out? Do I feel included? Protecting our colleagues and being innovative in our approach to supporting our people is core to our business.”
At Chemring, we know that conversations about mental health have the power to change lives. Recent research by Mind shows that open conversations in supportive communities are an important part of safeguarding everyone’s mental wellbeing. At least one in six workers in England experience common mental health problems, including anxiety and depression.
It’s essential for us to remember that mental health is as important as physical health. Making conversations about mental health normal at work helps all of us by creating safe, open workplaces and reducing mental health stigma.
Wherever we work, and whatever our role is, we can all help create a more open, supportive workplace.