Looking after yourself - World Suicide Prevention Day Suicide is still a taboo subject but this needs to change. We need to help reduce the stigma surrounding suicide and help prevent further unnecessary deaths. That's why we’re supporting World Suicide Prevention Day on Friday 10 September to raise awareness and help ensure that the appropriate level of support is in place for employees.
Building Mental Health Charter Barratt are supporters of the Building Mental Health Charter, an initiative led by industry experts, providing support and advice to increase awareness of mental health across the sector. We’ve pledged to: Provide awareness and understanding of the impact of poor mental ill health to our workforce and promote positive mental health through facilitated workshops, with the aims of: Reducing stigma and discrimination. Encouraging conversation in the workplace. Educate and enable champions from across the workforce to support keeping our people safe. Provide access to accredited Mental Health First Aid training and provide assistance to signpost workers to support in their communities. Recognise and accept education and training provided by peers and Building Mental Health partners.
A taste of what we have done so far... By the end of October 2021 we will have trained 107 Mental Health First Aiders across the business to provide assistance to our employees. More information about our Mental Health First Aiders below. We have trained 32 health and wellbeing champions across the business to provide signposting to the most suitable professional help, as well as to make colleagues aware about the health and wellbeing support across the Company. Our Line Managers have been through the Mates in Mind ‘Managing the Conversation training’ to enable them to spot signs of possible poor mental health, start the conversation and signpost to help. We partner with the Lighthouse Charity to promote their workshops on a range of wellbeing topics on a weekly basis, as well as provide a range of internal support webinars and Mindfulness practice sessions. Through our monthly health and wellbeing newsletters, we regularly promote ways to support positive mental health and contact information for professional support services. We are working with the HBF Skills Partnership Group to produce a mental health webinar for the construction supply chain. Towards the end of September we will be distributing Barratt help and support concertina cards which will provide contact details for a range of professional support services
Things you can do to care for your own mental health Evidence suggests there are five steps you can take to improve your mental health and wellbeing. Trying these things could help you feel more positive and able to get the most out of life, click here to find out what these are. Start the conversation Research also suggests that open and honest communication about mental ill-health supports steps towards suicide prevention, because these important conversations have the power to increase awareness and understanding, remind people they are not alone and help break the stigma which can be a barrier for those seeking help (Mates in Mind).
Mental Health First Aiders As part of our ongoing improvements to assist our employees with their mental health, we have trained a network of Mental Health First Aiders throughout the business. Their role as Mental Health First Aiders is to support individuals, help to make their life at work easier, listen non-judgmentally, offer and encourage support, signpost people to professional help and to assist in a crisis. If you are concerned about yours or another employees Mental Health then please contact any of the Mental Health First Aiders to discuss your concerns, they are here to help and assist you confidentially. Find the details of our Mental Health First Aiders here, which we'll continue to update.
Help and support Provides emotional support for people 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They allow people to talk about feelings of distress and despair and are confidential and offer non-judgemental support. Call free on 116 123 for 24/7 confidential support or visit their website www.samaritans.org. CALM is a charity which exists to prevent male suicide in the UK. They run a dedicated support line and online web chat for men who are experiencing emotional distress or who are in crisis. Phone 0800 58 58 58 (Helpline 5pm – midnight 7 days a week). Website: www.thecalmzone.net. Their mission is to make sure all young people get the best possible mental health support and have the resilience to overcome life's challenges. For a young person in crisis who needs urgent help, text YM to 85258. For a parent that is worried about a child, speak to their experts at the Parents Helpline and call 0808 802 5544. The UK’s first 24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis at any time. It’s a place to go if you are struggling and need immediate help. Text ‘SHOUT’ 85258 and a texter will be put in touch with a trained Crisis Volunteer (CV) who will support via text.
Click here to access expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing.
Parenting mental health webinar: Wednesday 15 September, 1pm Parenting Mental Health is peer community and UK registered charity that supports parents of young people with mental health issues. Join this live webinar with the founder of Parenting Mental Health for an opportunity to find out more about the charity and understand the support offered to parents across multiple digital communities globally. The 45 minute talk will cover the following with the opportunity for Q&A: Introductions My story Facing the challenges of parenting a child with a mental health issue Partnering: A different paradigm for parents How the PMH community can support and help you Time for questions To register for the session please email Jo Clay, Diversity & Inclusion Manager on jo.clay@barrattplc.co.uk.
What's coming in October? October is Barratt’s Health & Wellbeing Month where over the month we focus on all areas of our health and wellbeing and the benefits we offer our employees to help achieve a healthy lifestyle.
Help and support
For information, tools and links on many areas of health and wellbeing please click here to visit our My Barratt Benefits website