Today is World Mental Health Day and the focus this year is on prioritising mental health in the workplace.

The Health & Safety Executive say that around half of work related ill-health is down to stress, depression or anxiety and that the law requires all employers to prevent work-related stress and support good mental health in the workplace by doing a risk assessment and acting on it.

We know that many staff members and managers over the last few years have found it particularly difficult and are feeling worn down and tired out.

We also know that most people working in the early years and play sectors are doing it because it’s something that they really believe in and where they feel they can make a difference.  Add in that feeling of there never being enough time or enough money in settings, and a workforce who often have other caring responsibilities outside of work, are generally on low incomes and may be facing their own health challenges - it’s amazing that any of us are still making it in to work!

So as a part of this workforce (either a manager, committee member or part of a team) what can you do to support your team?

At PATA over the last few years we’ve introduced a number of things to try to support staff wellbeing, but much as we’d like to, we can’t magic up a big budget to bring in lots of initiatives so like most charities, it has to be done on a shoestring.

So what have we done to put wellbeing and supporting mental health front and centre that you might also be able to implement?

• At our ‘first day of term’ inset day we had the main session on wellbeing with lots of practical suggestions from the speaker.  We’ve reminded staff of these over the last few weeks including sending out hand cream to settings as one of the activities was a calming hand massage.  You might not be able to have an inset day but could you ask a staff member to run a short activity in a staff meeting?
• Our Supervisions include questions on wellbeing – both in setting and in your home life and we really encourage all managers to have open conversations on this with their staff.
• We got some staff trained as Mental Health First Aiders.  Sometimes it’s good to have a designated person who isn’t a manager available for a chat.  They aren’t mental health professionals, but they do have some tools available to signpost to and are a listening ear.  There are still free Level 3 courses around for this if you want to get someone trained.
• We have a ‘Wellbeing section’ on our staff website with lots of links to resources that staff can access to support their wellbeing both in and out of work.  You might not have a website where you can do this but you could have a board somewhere at work – even if it’s on the back of the toilet door!
• We have a ‘Wellness Access plan’ template available for staff to use.  This can either be done on their own or worked through with their manager.  It can help to identify small changes that can be made to support their workplace experience. As a PATA Member you can access this in the Wellbeing Section of the PATA Members Area (within Employees & Recruitment here) 
• We signpost to lots of different websites and organisations that offer wellbeing support – we aren’t trained mental health workers and sometimes people need support from specialist services.  Being able to signpost effectively and having staff know that it’s ok to ask/talk about something but that you might not be the right person to help them is a great part of an open and supportive culture.  

We definitely don’t have all the answers and we’d love to hear what you have put in place and what has worked or not worked!

Below are some links that you might find helpful, and don’t forget that we can organise bespoke training including on wellbeing for your staff.  Just get in touch at training@pataglos.org.uk

Useful links:

Marie Curie: Bereavement Support: https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/help/support/bereaved-family-friends/work/employee-resources

GDASS: Supporting victims of domestic abuse - https://www.gdass.org.uk/

Healthy Lifestyles Gloucester: Supporting healthy choices - https://hlsglos.org/

Mental Health Foundation: supporting mental health - https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/

If Morton Michel are your insurers for your setting, your staff can access a free 24/7 counselling helpline on 0333 000 2082. The helpline is run by ARAG qualified counsellors and are able to provide telephone support on any matter causing upset or anxiety – from personal problems to bereavement. If longer term support is required, you can be assigned to a counsellor to for weekly/ fortnightly meetings for up to 6 sessions.