Time to Talk: Making Mental Health a Part of Your Everyday Working Conversations
2nd February 2024
Time to Talk Day is Britain’s largest mental health conversation. Taking place annually on 1st February, it aims to encourage open conversations between friends, families, communities, and workplaces about mental wellbeing, all in an effort to listen and change lives for the better.
At Advance TRS, we have worked hard to ensure that our people and customers feel safe and supported at work. With two Mental Health First Aiders on hand and numerous resources at our disposal, we have fostered and are helping our clients to build an inclusive and happy culture where individuals feel comfortable to talk openly about their psychological wellbeing and seek help when they need it.
But while it is important that organisations invest in the right support for their staff, it is not just the responsibility of employers to promote positive mental wellbeing. As employees, looking out for one another and checking in on our colleagues’ mental health should be a regular part of everyday working life and conversations.
The Business Benefits of Mental Health Talks
When we consider just how much time we spend at work, prioritising mental health in the workplace becomes more than just a good deed; it becomes an imperative. A fulfilling job in a supportive environment not only benefits employees’ well-being but promotes better engagement, commitment and productivity. More importantly, it contributes to the safety of professionals working in the hazardous built environment.
Encouraging Open Dialogue
Maintaining good mental health at work involves fostering an environment where everyone feels at ease discussing their feelings, particularly with designated and trained individuals. Team leaders can play a crucial role in normalising these conversations by incorporating mental wellbeing into regular team meetings, safety walks, one-to-one catch ups and supervision sessions. Whether you’re in a leadership position, are on the frontline, an office-based employee or even work from home, this can be as easy as asking ‘how are you?’. If a normally talkative member of your team appears withdrawn, or someone appears more stressed than usual, taking the time to enquire or offer a listening ear can go a long way.
Signposting Mental Health Support
Time to Talk is the perfect opportunity to raise awareness of mental health resources, but on a more regular basis, sharing information in internal bulletins or on posters around the workplace can be an effective way of guiding colleagues towards the appropriate support for them. That could be a friendly chat, an informal meeting with a supervisor, speaking to a hotline such as the Samaritans or seeking professional help.
Keeping mental health at the forefront
Our consultants are here to ensure the success of our candidates and clients. If you feel that you or your team would benefit from mental health support, simply bring it up during your next conversation.
