On October 10^th we will be celebrating World Mental Health Day, with the theme “Mental Health is a Universal Human Right”.

With 1 in 4 people suffering from a diagnosed mental health condition in their lifetime, we know that mental ill-health does not discriminate. It can affect anyone, at any time. Despite this, we continue to see harmful stigmas infiltrate our workplaces, limiting the opportunity for those with mental health conditions to access the support and opportunities they deserve. This World Mental Health Day presents a valuable opportunity for employers to better understand how stigma can be identified and addressed and for employees to be equipped with an understanding of their rights relating to workplace mental health.

What is stigma and how does it relate to mental health at work?

Mental health stigma is defined by a level of prejudice or discrimination towards those with mental health conditions, often influencing their opportunities in interpersonal, societal and workplace contexts.

Whilst 80% of UK employees believe that stigma requires immediate action in their workplace, only 23% of employers report having implemented such action. Resultantly, stigma remains a pervasive barrier in UK work environments. Indeed, 73% of UK employees report feeling unable to disclose mental ill-health for fear that that doing so would jeopardize their job status. Similarly, 91% of UK employees believe that people with mental health problems are treated differently. Resultantly, many workers feel unable to access appropriate workplace support with research consistently highlighting a reticence to avail of workplace counselling programs for fear that it would lead to discrimination at work.

Am I protected from mental health discrimination at work?

Absolutely. Under the “Health and Safety at Work Act (1974)” employers have a duty of care to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of all employees at work. Whilst this legislation has a broad scope, the Disability Discrimmination Act (1995) and Equality Act (2010) provide further specific protection to those living with disabilities, including mental health conditions. A mental health condition is considered a disability, and therefore covered by the equality act if:

• The condition is long term or is likely to last 12 months or more
• The condition has a long-term effect on your day-to-day activity
• You have previously disclosed a mental health condition

Under the Equality Act (2010) it is unlawful for employers to discriminate on the grounds of disability including in relation to an employee’s terms and conditions, benefits, opportunities for promotion, performance reviews, handling of absences, pay, training, and the termination of employment. Examples of such unlawful discrimination may include:

• Denying opportunities for promotion or training on the basis of a disability
• Enforcing unnecessary performance or capability reviews based on a disability
• Unequal pay or denial of bonuses on the basis of disability
• Exclusion from workplace events due to disability

 Additionally, if your mental health condition meets any of the above criteria, your employer has a legal obligation to provide reasonable adjustments in order to prevent, remove or reduce disadvantages and obstacles you may experience in the workplace. Examples of reasonable adjustments include:

• Changes to working hours and patterns
• Adjustments to the physical work environment
• Providing equipment, services or support
• Remote or hybrid working
• Increased supervision
• Provision of training
• Changes to work volume

How can employers prevent mental health stigma and discrimination in the workplace?

Mental health discrimination is absolutely preventable. Here are some evidence-based strategies to foster an inclusive workplace which allows all employees to thrive:

1. Take a person-centred approach to mental wellbeing.

When managing an employee with a mental health condition, it is important to remember that every person is different and has different needs. What worked well for one employee with mental ill-health, may not be appropriate for another employee. As a result, work in partnership with the individual in order to understand and meet their specific needs. Individuals may have lived with a specific mental health concern for a considerable period of time. Resultantly, they are often already aware of strategies and adjustments which will aid them in managing their condition. You can also use the guidance of other professionals including the individual’s GP, occupational health or human resources, to ensure that any action taken places the individual at the centre of their own wellbeing plan.

• Tackle stigma and discrimination promptly and effectively.

Tackling stigma and discrimination must be intentional and consistent. This may start with visibly committing to an inclusive mental health policy. When employees observe that their senior leads are committed to ending workplace discrimination, they may feel better able disclose their mental health conditions and utilize available support within the workplace.

• Invest in workplace mental health training.

Stigma often stems from a lack of understanding and knowledge. Indeed, 58% of employees would feel uncomfortable starting a conversation with a colleague about mental health and only 25% of UK managers feel able to spot the early warning signs of mental ill-health. At AMH Works, that proactive and preventative measures help create workplaces where mental health thrives. Our team of expert trainers and consultants offer evidence-based workshops and training sessions including Mindful Manager, Mental Health Awareness, Stress Management, Mental Health First Aid and more. Each session is designed to dispel stigma, boost staff morale, improve employee wellbeing, enhance team culture, increase productivity and reduce sickness absence. To find out more about how AMH Works can help, visit: INSERT NEW WEB LINK HERE

Further Support and Signposting:

If you or someone you know are suffering from poor mental health, you are not alone. As many as one in four adults in Northern Ireland experience signs of a mental health issue every year. Help is available:

Reach out to your GP: When you talk to your GP about your mental health, they will listen, give you advice and introduce you to a mental health service they think will be most helpful to you. These services may come from your GP surgery, a large local health centre, a specialist mental health clinic or a hospital.

Lifeline: Lifeline is a free 24/7 crisis response helpline service for those experiencing distress or despair. Lifeline is there to help 24 hours a day and can be contacted on: 0808 808 8000

Samaritans: Samaritans is a registered charity aimed at providing emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope or at risk of suicide throughout the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, often through its telephone helpline: 116 123

AMH New Life Counselling: AMH New Life Counselling provides high quality counselling services across Greater Belfast. Further information can be found at: https://www.amh.org.uk/new-life-counselling/

Details of further support services and helplines in Northern Ireland can be foundat: https://helplinesni.com/ or on the “Here 2 Help” app.

The Open College Network (OCN), a professional and technical awarding body, announced the shortlist for its fifth Learning Endeavour Awards, at Titanic Belfast on Monday 26 June 2023. Shortlisting for these prestigious awards was drawn from eight categories with nominees from organisations throughout Northern Ireland.

Delighted to pick up the highest accolade as Learner of the Year at the annual Endeavour Awards event, Shauna Christie a client with AMH New Horizons, Lisburn, is a shining example of how the charity transforms lives through education. Shauna also received a second award for her nominated category, Health & Well-being Learner of the Year.

Celebrating her double success, Shauna chose the part-time mixed media qualification, which led to learning new skills such as lino printing, embracing her artistic side and making many new acquaintances. Shauna explains,

“Donna and Carol Anne from AMH New Horizons encouraged me to become involved with the 12-week OCN course at AMH New Horizons, Lisburn. They both gave me real support and guidance throughout. I’m so glad I decided to take part in the course as I feel it has not only given me additional skills, such as time-management and improved my written communication abilities but has opened the door to future learning. I would recommend it to anyone.”

Aisling Doherty, Peripatetic Service Manager with New Horizons, Lisburn said,

“We are so incredibly proud of Shauna‘s great achievement. She is delighted and her family are delighted for her too. Shauna will return to the awards next year to deliver a speech and congratulate the new winner. Adding, AMH New Horizons supports the recovery of adults living with mental ill health and provides a comprehensive personal development-training programme, vocational skills and employability. Shauna’s award is great news for New Horizons and the work we do.”

Martin Flynn, Chief Executive of OCN NI said,

 “The shortlisted learners and organisations reflect the best of Northern Ireland and are shining examples of what hard work and determination can achieve. We were delighted to reward the winners at our in person event.”

The awards ceremony featured special guest, Belfast Giants Head Coach, Adam Keefe, alongside members of Belfast Giants coaching and management team. The guests fielded an on-stage question and answer session, providing insight and highlighting similarities or lessons on how the on-ice high-performing hockey team’s Challenge Cup treble win, may also translate into life and learning for those pursuing their own personal goals.

Adam Keefe, Belfast Giants Head Coach, said: “It was a great honour to be asked to attend the OCN Learning Endeavour Awards and hearing first hand from some pretty inspiring people who succeeded in their categories. There is no substitution for working hard so I clapped loudly for everyone who was honoured at the OCN NI Learning Endeavour Awards.”

Further information on your nearest New Horizons centre https://www.amh.org.uk/services/amh-new-horizons/

For more information on the OCN Learner Endeavour Awardshttps://ocnni.org.uk/learner-awards/learner-awards-2023

Caption – The highly commended winners and guests at the Open College Network (OCN) Learning Endeavour Awards 2023.

Action Mental Health is absolutely thrilled to be selected as the new charity partner for Edwards & Co. Solicitors.

We are looking forward to working with the team at Edwards & Co as we help raise funds and awareness to support better mental health in Northern Ireland.

This exciting new three year partnership will see staff at the leading Belfast solicitors firm taking part in volunteering and fundraising, as well as staff training for better mental health awareness and to support mental health in the workplace.

Massive thanks to everyone at the company for selecting Action Mental Health as your new partner.

Action Mental Health on the 10th of September joins the annual World Suicide Prevention Day campaign.

This year focuses on the message of ‘Creating Hope Through Action’. In Northern Ireland, too many lives are lost to suicide each year. The aim of World Suicide Prevention Day is to raise awareness that suicide is preventable, improve education, and spread information about suicide awareness.

How we’re Creating Hope Through Action

Our AMH MensSana team, alongside our partners at PIPS Newry & Mourne, delivers the Your Protect Life Resource Service in the Southern Area and is here to help you regarding suicide and self-harm prevention and mental health promotion. We provide an outreach community development service with a particular focus on promoting positive mental health and the prevention of suicide and self-harm through community development approaches.

Action Mental Health New Life Counselling provides high-quality counselling services and is part of Action Mental Health. AMH New Life Counselling is committed to supporting the emotional health and wellbeing needs of its clients through the provision of counselling, providing friendly and professional counselling services for children, young people, adults, and families.

Our AMH Works service also provides specialised mental wellbeing training and consultancy to tackle workplace mental ill-health through a range of programmes, including safeTALK Suicide Prevention Training and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST).

Help us provide a message of hope by lighting a candle at 8pm

We would like to invite you to join with us this year in lighting a candle at 8pm on World Suicide Prevention Day.

Light is a symbol of hope and in this simple act we are reminded that there is hope. Hope for those bereaved, hope for those who are struggling with thoughts of suicide and hope for those are caring for others with suicidal thoughts. 

This could be an as act of remembrance for your loved one, an acknowledgement of your grief and loss or a message of support for others. 

If you are joining us please tag our social media in any photo or alternatively send us a picture of your candle as a sign that you are standing with us in taking action against suicide. 

Bereavement Guide

We have also created this short guide for coping with the loss of a loved one has died by suicide. Help is available. Download our bereavement guide here.

Other Sources of Support

Today marks the end of an era for AMH New Horizons Newry as Service Manager, Brian Hughes retires from the organisation after over 36 years of dedicated service.

Brian has truly made his mark, making a massive contribution to improving mental health services in the wider Newry area and helping to support the recovery of many local people during that time.

He started when the organisation was known as the  Industrial Therapy Organisation (ITO) and has held several roles during his time with AMH including:

• Woodwork Instructor
• Senior Supervisor
• Assistant Manager
• Deputy Manager
• Service Manager

Everyone at Action Mental Heath wishes Brian a very happy retirement as he takes up this chance to spend a lot more time with his family.

Thank you, Brian!

1 in 4 UK adults suffer with a diagnosed mental health problem. Despite this, a study by CIPD revealed that 85% of employees still believe that there is a stigma attached to discussing mental health at work, whilst 58% wouldn’t feel comfortable discussing mental ill-health with their manager. Talking about mental health at work isn’t always easy. It’s common to worry about how this conversation may impact your working relationships or career growth. Yet creating an open dialogue about your mental health with your manager can be vital in ensuring that you have the support needed to thrive inside and outside of the workplace. We’ve compiled three tips to make tackling the taboo around workplace mental health a little easier:

1. Decide who you want to tell and how much information you want to give. It’s entirely up to you how much information you want to disclose and to whom. For instance, you may not wish to share the personal circumstances which have exacerbated your mental health concerns, but do need your workplace to know how your mental health is impacting your working life. Similarly, you may wish to tell the human resources department about your health, but do not wish for this to be discussed with your supervisor or colleagues.
2. Think about support you may need. In order to ensure your employer can best support you with your mental health, it can be useful to think about measures that may be helpful to you at this time. Maybe you need to adjust your working hours or reduce your workload? Perhaps remote working may be beneficial or you’re wondering how to access professional support? Many companies implement employee assistance programs (EAPs) which outline available resources to support employee wellbeing. It’s also okay if you don’t know what help you need right now. Try to be as honest as possible with your employer about the areas you’re struggling with so that they can help you strategize suitable support.
3. Know your rights. The Equality Act (2010) protects disabled people, including those with a mental illness, from unfair treatment. A mental illness is considered a disability when it has had a long-term impact on your normal day-to-day activity. In this instance, your employer has a legal duty to make reasonable adjustments for you to avoid disadvantage. These adjustments may include changes to your work environment, time off for treatment or changes to working hours. To find out more about the Equality Act (2010) visit: https://www.gov.uk/when-mental-health-condition-becomes-disability

While it can seem easier said than done, talking about your mental health to your employer is a courageous step towards a happier and healthier future. For further details regarding how AMH Works can support your workplace, visit: https://www.amh.org.uk/services/amh-works/

Lauren currently works as a trainer within Action Mental Health Works which centres on reducing stigma and improving mental wellbeing in Northern Irish workplaces.
Having gained the National Academic Performance Award and a first class honours degree in Psychology, Lauren’s professional pursuits have largely centred on reducing stigma and promoting early intervention for those suffering from mental ill health. Lauren has gained a breadth professional of experience within the mental health sector including complex mental health, homelessness, addiction, eating disorders and therapeutic intervention. Lauren has also taken an active role within the charitable sector. She is currently a committee trustee for both the Lawrence Trust and the Eating Disorders Association NI.

Libraries NI has announced a new three year charity partnership agreement with Action Mental Health.

The official launch took place in Lisburn City Library on Thursday 29 June with Jim O’Hagan, Chief Executive of Libraries NI and David Babington Chief Executive from Action Mental Health signing a memorandum of understanding.

Staff from across Libraries NI took part in the process to select a new charity and Action Mental Health was chosen, emphasising the importance of mental health and wellbeing for the library service.  Members of staff across the network of libraries will now be involved in fundraising activities over coming months.

Jim O’Hagan, Chief Executive of Libraries NI, said:

“I am delighted to announce this partnership and I look forward to working with Action Mental Health to provide helpful support and advice for library customers whilst also raising awareness of the important services and help provided by the charity. Libraries provide an essential welcoming space and this agreement will help to support customers in communities across Northern Ireland.”

 David Babington, Chief Executive of Action Mental Health said:

“It gives me great pleasure to be able to help launch this exciting new fundraising partnership with Libraries NI. It is especially encouraging that Libraries NI staff have been central to choosing Action Mental Health as their partner, and wishing to focus on supporting mental health. As an organisation we work across Northern Ireland, helping to improve mental health for thousands of people every year and we simply couldn’t do that without the support of the local community and partners such as Libraries NI.”

Across Northern Ireland, thousands of young people will be anxiously awaiting the outcomes of their A-Levels and GCSE exams. The culmination of months of hard work and preparation; exam results day can evoke a mix of emotions in young people, from anticipation and excitement to stress and worry. In this article, we explore ways to recognize, manage, and help support young people to deal with stress, and aid both students and families in this challenging period. We have also prepared a handy guide with tips and links which you can download below.

Understanding Exam Results Stress

Feeling worried or anxious about exam results is completely normal. It’s essential to recognize the impact that this stress can have on mental and physical wellbeing. Individuals may experience disrupted sleep patterns, changes in appetite, persistent headaches, and difficulty in concentrating. To support young people during this period, both awareness and proactive strategies are key.

Support Strategies for Young People

• Open Up and Talk: Don’t bottle up your emotions – remember, you are not alone, there are thousands of young people who will be feeling exactly the same way. Reach out to friends, family, or teachers as they can provide valuable insights and comfort.
• Prepare for Different Outcomes: Plan for the best and worst outcomes, and what to do if you don’t get the results you need. Researching your options for the next steps is positive and proactive. Regardless of the outcome, plan something nice to do on results day as a treat, this can provide a sense of relief, and reward for your efforts.
• Maintain Routine and Hobbies: Keeping busy and engaged can be a powerful distraction. Continue pursuing your hobbies and maintain your daily routines. This can prevent overthinking and provide a sense of normality.
• Seek Support on Results Day: Having someone with you when you get your results may help ease your anxiety. A friend, family member, or teacher can offer reassurance and guidance. A good support network can help you as you discuss your options and make informed decisions moving forward.
• Avoid Unhealthy Comparisons: In the age of social media, the urge to compare yourself to others can be strong. Remember, everyone has different strengths and areas of growth. Success should be measured against personal achievements and goals.

Advice for Parents/Guardians

1. Provide Encouragement: Show interest in your child’s academic journey, but avoid placing excessive pressure on them. Your encouragement can motivate them without increasing their stress levels.
2. Recognize their hard work and effort, regardless of the outcome. Praising their determination can boost their self-esteem and resilience.
3. Remind young people that exam results are just one aspect of their abilities. Encourage them to see their strengths and potential beyond the results.
4. Be available to listen without judgment. Your support can make a significant difference in how they perceive and handle stress.

Exam result stress is a natural response to a significant life event, but it doesn’t have to define a young person’s self-worth or future direction. By fostering open communication, preparing for various outcomes, and offering consistent encouragement, we can empower young people to navigate this chapter of their lives with resilience and confidence. Remember, exam results are just one part of a larger journey toward personal growth and achievement.

Download our guide for young people:

Dealing with Exam Results Stress & Anxiety: A guide for Young People