Unite supports workers on World Mental Health Day

On World Mental Health Day Unite is encouraging members to get involved with the United Minds Campaign.

The theme for World Mental Health Day 2024 is “Mental health at work” and the Mental Health Foundation says “Work can have a huge impact on our mental health. It can be good for our mental health, giving us a sense of purpose, boosting our self-worth, and providing opportunities to connect with others. But it can also be a source of stress and anxiety and contribute to developing or worsening mental health problems.”

Recent years have seen elevated levels of stress, anxiety and depression which invariably has led to mental health problems across multiple workplaces. 

Unite reps themselves are facing increasing additional pressures and will benefit from the unions mental health support programme for reps. They will also require more support in negotiating mental health and stress support programmes in the workplace.

The United Minds Campaign website is packed full of resources to help reps and members. As well as a campaign guide, and the Unite Mental Health Guide for Reps and Negotiators there is a stress at work survey and a model facilities agreement.

Rob Miguel. National Health and Safety Advisor, Unite the Union said; “It is good to see that World Mental Health Day this year recognising the huge negative impact that work can have on people’s mental health.”

“I would encourage all Unite reps to visit the United Minds campaign page and get involved in supporting colleagues.”

“The page is full of tools and materials to assist reps in negotiating better management processes around mental health and stress issues in the workplace.”

The United Minds Campaign wants change, and is calling the government and employers to play their part. This includes calls for new legislation around workplace stress and psychosocial risk, codes of practice to ensure employer assistance and support programmes for mental health are consistent and of high quality and to ensure that work related suicides to be reportable to HSE under Riddor. 

United Minds also wants employers to ensure workplace stress risk assessments and consideration of psychosocial hazards are undertaken, and that their mental health support programmes are fit for purpose.

Unite Education runs highly popular and practical “Mental Health Awareness” courses across the regions, with more details available on the Unite Education website.

Unite has also produced, and recently updated, a very useful Mental Health Guide for reps and negotiators, which is a guide for shop stewards/workplace reps that provides an overview of mental health issues at work; how to support members and negotiate with employers.

To find out more, access the resources and download the posters go to the United Minds Campaign website.