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Individual level

Providing information and raising awareness on mental wellbeing

You can encourage employees to make changes to their lifestyle and look after their mental wellbeing by simply making them aware of the benefits they will experience and the impact small changes can make.

Information about the importance of mental wellbeing

Providing lots of information, ideas and tips will encourage employees to think about mental wellbeing. Here are some ideas:picnic, women

  • Booklets and leaflets
  • Posters
  • Tips and messages
  • Screensavers
  • World Mental Health Day
  • Accessible information about local and national help agencies
  • Knowledge and awareness of personal support services provided by the organisation

For more information:

  • Order a Think fit! Think well! pack (link to order Think fit! pack page) and go to page 64
  • Order Think fit! Think well! booklet for employees (link to order Think fit! pack page)
  • Go to the mental wellbeing resources section (link to mental wellbeing resources)

Mental health awareness training

Providing mental health awareness training for all employees will help them to understand more about ways they can look after their own and others' mental wellbeing, tackle the widespread stigma and discrimination towards mental illness, and help them to spot early signs of problems in themselves or colleagues.

To be effective, training needs to be simple and jargon-free, and should focus on what to do rather than providing details about mental illness. The training will benefit employees and the organisation as a whole. Options include:

  • Awareness-raising seminars for all employees
  • Half-day training for managers and supervisors
  • Full-day training for key personnel
  • Team training for both managers and staff

Finding trainers to provide the expertise

You could try the following:

  • Your local Primary Care Trust (PCT)
  • A local mental health charity (link to useful links in mental wellbeing resources)
  • Samaritans, Kipepeo and In Equilibrium all provide mental health and stress training in the workplace (download mental wellbeing factsheets)
  • Contact Mindful Employer (link to useful links in mental wellbeing resources)

For more information:

  • Order a Think fit! Think well! pack (link to order Think fit! pack page) and go to pages 64 - 65
  • Download the Factsheet: Mental health awareness training (download mental wellbeing factsheets)
  • Go to the mental wellbeing resources section (link to mental wellbeing resources)

Providing opportunities for employees to look after their mental wellbeing

There are a number of ways you can help people look after their mental wellbeing, both at work and outside work.

You might want to include one or more of the following on your mental wellbeing programme:

  • Promoting physical activity (link to Getting active at work sub-landing page) massage
  • Stress-buster sessions including:
  • pilates
  • reiki
  • reflexology (foot massage)
  • massage
  • yoga
  • tai Chi
  • meditation
  • aikido.

Signposting to local classes and facilities including leisure facilities, alternative therapy sessions such as massage, reflexology and relaxation classes.

Social events, for example:

  • quiz nights
  • ten-pin bowling
  • ice-skating
  • barbecues, picnic and dinners
  • activity weekends
  • Workshops on situations that commonly cause stress

For more information on providing opportunities order a Think Fit! Think Well! pack and go to pages 66-69.