More than a calendar entry

Awareness days are a chance to re-focus efforts and bring important topics to the forefront. In our fundraising packs this year we had some light-hearted activities based on the connection between mind and body, highlighting that overall wellbeing depends on small things that don’t even particularly cross our busy minds, such as drinking enough water, moving our body, and making meaningful connections.

It takes a lot of work to put together organisation-wide initiatives and means connecting with lots of different people who offer their unique perspectives, sound advice and brilliant ideas – a demonstration of true teamwork in action. This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week gives a pause for thought, an opportunity to reflect on what mental health really means, what community means, and who our community are.

Men make up a significant percentage of our workforce. Sadly, Census figures in 2023 state that the suicide rate for males aged 45-49 is almost three times that of women, confirming that a large portion of our work community are far less likely to talk about their mental health and far more likely to take their own lives. We recognise this and are taking action. Managers are being developed to manage with empathy, to communicate effectively without judgement, and to consider the human factors in their decision making. We have a wonderful team of mental health first aiders (many of whom have experienced their own mental health challenges) and an established employee assistance programme which provides access to services such as counselling.

Meanwhile, female colleagues in our work community talk about personal struggles of fertility concerns, pregnancy, childbirth, and maternity leave, which can leave some returning to work with a heavy dose of mum-guilt and sleepless nights. Lauren Fegan, Construction Health and Safety Manager, volunteered her own story of dealing with the desire to prove to her two girls that she is a strong, capable woman who provides for them, contributes to the wider world, and can do anything she sets her mind to, while also feeling distraught at having to miss any school event. The importance of flexibility and a manager who understands the need for balance allows an unwavering focus on our work community’s needs – without missing out on what matters in our home community.

There are many other strong, capable women taking on huge conversations such as menopause and menstruation, striving to better understand its impact on our work community, beginning to shape strategy, further develop our managers, and advocate for better support.