Mental Health Awareness Week: Let’s have the conversation

Mental Health is a lot closer to home than you may think. This year one in four of us will experience poor mental health.

It can be hard to know what to do if you are suffering from poor mental health or a colleague, friend or loved one needs some help. 

To mark Mental Health Awareness Week this week, we’re highlighting the importance of recognising the signs of someone needing support, and how to recognise the signs of stress and anxiety in yourself.

How to spot the signs

Dr Steve Iley, Chief Medical Officer at Jaguar Land Rover has outlined some handy pointers to help spot the key signs of stress, and the warning signs you should look out for in others.

He also explains the importance of building up mental resilience to improve your wellbeing.

Take a Mind MOT to test yourself on the 'Your JLR' app.

BEN Mental Health in the Workplace training

In 2018, automotive industry charity BEN launched a training programme to raise awareness about mental health.

More than 1,000 colleagues have attended courses to date, learning more about mental health and wellbeing, understanding common mental health conditions and how to manage mental health in the workplace. 

The BENatWork team has also been delivering fun and interactive sessions for employees at various sites on how to manage stress and to talk with colleagues about the support that the charity can provide.

Jools Tait, Business Development Director at Ben, said: “We are committed to developing the relevant services needed to prevent people from suffering in silence, as well as help them remain resilient to the challenges that life brings.”

If you need any support or advice regarding mental health or other issues, you call Ben’s free and confidential helpline 08081 311 333 or visit the BEN website.

Mental Health initiatives at Jaguar Land Rover

There are also numerous examples of colleagues across the business actively looking to improve the wellbeing of others they work with.

Solihull colleagues have created a video aimed at encouraging people to open up and have a conversation for their wellbeing.

John Carter and the Underbody Team at Castle Bromwich have got men talking about how they feel through the use of emojis.

EMC’s Team Leader Dean Jones has set up an online support initiative called ‘Never Be Afraid To Ask’ aimed at removing the stigma around mental health.

These are just some of the stories where colleagues are making a difference, and there is also a range of useful numbers, support and resources available at jlrmentalhealth.com.

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