Each week, it is estimated that 1 in 6 people in the UK experience what is known as common mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression. In 2022/23, 37.1% of women and 29.9% of men reported to have experienced high levels of anxiety. These statistics highlight the importance of events such as Mental Health Awareness Week, taking place from 15 – 21 May, and their part in the movement to promote positive mental wellbeing.
Recognising the importance of Mental Health Awareness Week 2023 and its theme of ‘anxiety’, colleagues across the Seetec Group are supporting both one another and clients alike in tackling mental health challenges and accessing vital support services.
To better support our colleagues’ mental health and help tackle the challenges they may face, Seetec’s Employee Assistance Programme was introduced . This service, alongside the aptly named ‘Listening Ear’ initiative, provides colleagues with the opportunity to speak with in confidence whenever needed. Over 200 colleagues across the Group have also been trained as qualified mental health first aiders, providing even more opportunity for both our participants and staff to receive support with improving their mental wellbeing.
Colleagues are also supporting individuals engaging with our services in tackling their mental health problems, with several provisions on hand to support them day-to-day and to promote positive mental wellbeing.
One participant who received support from our colleagues in tackling their anxiety through our services, said:
“You’ve helped me to change. I have really stepped out of my comfort zone, I passed a shop advertising for volunteers… I had the confidence to go inside and explain to a shop assistance that I had anxiety but that I wanted to enquire about volunteering. She gave me an application and I felt so good after that, so I even got talking to an old acquaintance and I had my first meal out in years.”
The provision of these vital services across the Seetec Group was brought on due to several substantial developments within the business. These changes included the development of our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy where we aim to create a progressive, collaborative and healthy working environment for our colleagues, and the recognition that many of the individuals coming through our doors to access our services were facing mental health problems of their own.
Looking towards the future, support for both our colleagues and participants in dealing with their mental health challenges continues to remain a priority, with many new initiatives and developments to bolster the existing services already in the pipeline. Seetec will be celebrating some positive case studies on our website and in the media over the coming weeks, and you can also follow the Mental Health Week campaign on twitter via #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek and #ToHelpMyAnxiety.
If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, you can access vital support services and organisations by clicking here.