Get ready for Mental Health Awareness Week

It is Mental Health Awareness Week from 12 to 18 May, giving members a timely opportunity to raise this important issue with employees.

According to the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), around half of all work-related ill health in Britain is due to stress, depression, or anxiety.

While research by the construction-focused charity, Mates in Mind, suggests around a third of the self-employed and workers in small and medium businesses suffer from anxiety.

That said, those working in soft landscaping may be drawn to the sector by the potential, well-evidenced mental health benefits of working in gardening.

Whatever your business, the HSE says employers can help reduce stress by improving work conditions and help workers manage mental health problems by making adjustments.

The regulator provides a range of practical resources and support to help employers make these changes through its Working Minds campaign, including:

• Register for Working Minds’ online learning and get started today
• Download a risk assessment template and see some examples
• Download the Construction Talking Toolkit for small businesses with a regular workforce (employed and contracted) to help structure conversations
• Print out / share our campaign resources round up
• Print out / display our Working Minds 5 steps poster
• Sign up to the monthly e-bulletin