Today is World Mental Health Day!

Today (10 October) is World Mental Health Day, which is a day to raise awareness of mental health problems.

More and more of us are aware of mental health, but so many of us still are not getting the right support.

This years theme, set by the World Foundation of Mental Health, is: "Mental health is a universal human right".

Tips for talking about mental health

Talking is good for your mental health, and talking about mental health is important.

Starting a conversation is not always easy, but the Mental Health Foundation have provided some tips to help, whether you would like to talk to someone about how you are feeling, or check-in with someone you care about.

If you would like to start a conversation about your own mental health:

• choose someone you trust to talk to, whether that is a friend, family member, colleague, or through a support helpline;
• think about the best place to talk where you feel comfortable enough to open-up and somewhere private where you are less likely to be disturbed;
• prepare yourself for their reaction, try to give them time to process what you have told them, and be kind to yourself and practise self-care.

If you would like to talk to someone about their mental health:

• find a good space to talk without distractions so you can give them your full attention, and even think of switching off your phone;
• actively listen to the person and ask questions to help clarify what they mean, as long as they are relevant and not changing the subject;
• ask how you can help, or make suggestions, rather than telling them what to do next.

Mental health and the workplace

Although recognising and supporting mental health in the workplace is important for employers every day, events like this can help raise awareness and drive positive action.

To encourage mental health conversations and initiatives in the workplace, employers could try some of the following activities to help empower employees through education, communication, and more on World Mental Health Day and beyond:

• hold a mental health "pub" quiz to test their knowledge on mental health in the workplace;
• publicise mental health support and resources so they are readily available for employees to access;
• take time out to chat, which will help build social connections with coworkers, and enhance wellbeing, and make sure to include remote workers who can join in from home;
• suggest a lunchtime craft session, as creativity is an excellent way to boost your mood and reduce stress, and encourages workers to relax at lunchtime;
• complete a mental health training course to boost mental health awareness and provide some employees the opportunity to become mental health first aid trained.

Mental Health Act

Mental health charity Mind says awareness is just the start, and now it is time to act. Mental health hospitals are broken, buildings are crumbing, wards are often bare, cold and rundown, and people's voices are being ignored.

The UK government still needs to reform the 40 year old Mental Health Act 1983, (MHA)to give people more say in their treatment, and strengthen their rights while in hospital.

The MHA is the law in England and Wales which says when you can be detained, or "sectioned", and receive mental health treatment against your will. Mind believes this is not working.

Mind states that people detained under the MHA do not have enough say in their treatment. They are not able to choose the treatment that works for them, and the MHA does not provide a way to appeal treatment decisions.

They also have highlighted the "shocking" racial disparities in the use of the MHA, with black people four times more likely to be detained under the act than white people.

In 2022 the UK government published a Draft Mental Health Bill, which would make changes to the current act, but it still has not been formally introduced to parliament.

Mind says the UK government must deliver a reformed MHA before the next election, and is encouraging people to sign their petition.

For more information on this subject, see:

• Tackling work-related stress using the Management Standards approach;
• UK GOV - Reasonable adjustments for mental health;
• HSE - Talking Toolkit Preventing work-related stress;
• INDG430 - How to tackle work-related stress;
• HSE - First aid needs assessment;
• HSE - Work-related stress and how to manage it;
• HSE - Mental health conditions, work and the workplace;
• HSE - Managing home workers' health and safety;
• UK GOV - Supporting mental health at work;
• Mental Wellbeing - A General Guide for Employers.