BDF Offers Free Guidance to Support Mental Health at Work

Business Disability Forum (BDF) has launched updated resources on promoting employee wellbeing and mental health at work.

The resources offer free guidance to line managers and businesses on creating work environments – whether in the workplace or remotely – which support good mental health. They cover building trust and openness and reflect on the impact of Covid-19 on workplace practices and staff wellbeing.

Research from mental health charity, Mind, suggests that one in five adults experienced depressive symptoms in the first quarter of 2021 compared to one in 10 before the pandemic outbreak. In addition to the guidance launched today, Business Disability Forum’s CEO, Diane Lightfoot, has called for a global movement (#SlowDown) to recognise and address the growing pressure on workplaces and businesses to deliver ever faster.

GLOBAL MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS

“January is often the time when we are all encouraged to pick up the pace after a perceived period of wind-down over Christmas and New Year. Yet, we need to consider the ongoing impact of the last two years on our physical and mental wellbeing and whether the call to continually speed-up is either necessary or productive,” stated Diane Lightfoot, CEO, Business Disability Forum. “Creating environments where everyone can share how they are feeling and where line managers have the confidence to ask people what they need is critical. But perhaps we need something more fundamental. It is not within any one person or even organisation’s gift to change the expectations of society, whether that is a customer who wants a same day delivery or response from a call centre.

“A global mental health crisis has been widely predicted and exacerbated by the pandemic. We are already seeing the impact across a wide range of sectors. It is going to take a concerted and conscious effort from everyone – a global movement – to make the change. If we don’t do it now, then when will we?”

The free updated resources on mental wellbeing in the workplace form part of BDF’s Mental Health Toolkit. You can access them on BDF’s Knowledge Hub here.

The Business Disability Forum also launched a collection of essential free resources and guidance for businesses ahead of International Day of Persons with Disabilities last month. Click here to read more.