Wandsworth Healthy Workplaces

healthy business is a productive business!

April marks Stress Awareness Month, an annual event championed by the Stress Management Society to raise awareness of the negative impact of stress on mental and physical health and encourage people to take steps to reduce it.

The theme for Stress Awareness Month 2025 is #LeadwithLove - encouraging us to approach ourselves and others with kindness, compassion and acceptance no matter the challenges we face.

Good Thinking has a wide range of free resources available to Londoners to help combat stress, including:

• advice on identifying the symptoms and types of stress;

• NHS-approved apps on topics such as mindfulness and meditation;

• articles and podcasts on stress management from people with lived experience;

• helpful guides on dealing with stress and supporting good mental wellbeing.

Visit Good Thinking’s dedicated Stress webpages (https://www.good-thinking.uk/ stress ) for more information. Alternatively, you can use Good Thinking’s simple search function to find the right help for you.

DOES YOUR ORGANISATION SUPPORT THE MENTAL HEALTH OF YOUR EMPLOYEES?

Five steps your organisation can take to make an impact on your employees' Mental Health and Wellbeing:

1. PROVIDE ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES AND LOCAL SERVICES

Ensure employees have access to mental health resources and support services. Promote local mental health services available in Wandsworth and encourage participation in public health initiatives and activities organised by the council.

Resource: Mental Health Services in Wandsworth (www.wandsworth.gov.uk/mental-health)

Resource: Public Health in Wandsworth (www.wandsworth.gov.uk/public-health)

2. IMPLE MENT

MENTAL HEALTH POLICIE S

Develop and implement comprehensive mental health policies that outline support mechanisms for employees. Include mental health days, access to counselling, and clear procedures for addressing mental health issues.

Resource: How to Implement the Thriving at Work Mental Health Standards Resource: CIPD - Mental Health Support Guide

3. FOSTE R OPENNESS AND PROVIDE TRAINI NG

Provide regular training and development opportunities focused on mental health awareness and support. Use awareness days, such as Stress

Awareness Month, as an opportunity to promote mental health initiatives. Encourage employees to participate and provide them with resources to help manage stress.

Resource: Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Training

Resource: Making Every Contact Count (MECC) Training. Emotional health and wellbeing and Suicide Awareness

4. IMPLEMENT FLEXIBLE WORKING ARRANGEMENTS

Implement flexible working arrangements to significantly reduce stress and improve work-life balance. Offer options such as remote working, flexible hours, and job sharing to help employees manage their mental health more effectively.

Resource: CIPD's Guide to Flexible Working Resource: ACAS Flexible Working Guidance

5. ADOPT THE MAYOR'S GOOD WORK STANDARD

Adopt the Mayor's Good Work Standard to ensure your workplace meets high standards of fairness, inclusion, and wellbeing. Use this standard to create a supportive and healthy work environment.

Resource: Mayor's Good Work Standard

For links to resources please visit www.wandsworth.gov.uk/healthy-workplaces

To find out more about healthy workplaces Wandsworth and for further resources check the council webpage: www.wandsworth.gov.uk/healthy-workplaces

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