We want our workforce to flourish and staying healthy in body and mind is a key part of our journey to Knowingly Safe. So we have launched our Mental Fitness Principles.
The principles surround: Creating Change, Managing Stress, Sleeping Better, Moving Better, Eating Better, Enhancing Focus, Finding Meaning, Getting Help and Reconnecting.
They will help us in our commitment to creating a safe, healthy and high-performance workplace, where the mental and physical health of employees are valued and prioritised.
Employed adults spend more time working than any other activity during their waking hours and can have a significant impact on our mental health.
It can be positive, giving us a sense of purpose, boosting our self-worth, and providing opportunities to connect with others. But it can also be a source of stress and anxiety and contribute to developing or worsening mental health problems.
Peggy Jackson, PPP Health & Safety Manager, said:
“You can take steps to support your own well-being. Learn techniques to manage stress and stay mindful of changes in your mental health.
“We have created the Mental Fitness Principles, which provide ideas and advice on how to manage your mental fitness and ways of getting help if you are struggling.
“On each of our projects are Mental Health First Aiders / Wellbeing Ambassadors who can offer a listening ear and provide details of resources that are available to you.
“Reach out to your colleagues and line management, they may be unaware that you are struggling.”
Often the hardest thing to do is to start a conversation on mental health. People often ask, ‘how are you?’ when greeting someone. Are we honest when we answer? Are we comfortable enough to say actually, I am not okay?
If you are struggling with your mental wellbeing at work, set a meeting up with your line manager, prepare the things you want to talk about and be honest.
Looking after your mental health is not something we should just do if we are struggling, or feeling low, anxious or stressed. It’s something we should think about all the time and really invest in, just like our physical health.
To see our Mental Fitness Principles go to: Mental Fitness Principles or MoC Website: Folder ‘Mental Fitness Principles’ (mocsl.co.uk).
