Mental Health Awareness

Action plan and implementation

Mental health is a significant issue, with nearly two-thirds of individuals reporting experiences of mental ill-health. According to the HSE, conditions such as stress, depression, or anxiety accounted for over 50% of all lost working days and 51% of work-related ill health in 2019/20. There is a stigma around mental health and statistics show that health workers do not necessarily speak up about their condition.

Action plan

Preventative

raising awareness of mental health in general, creating a culture where it isn’t stigmatised, and having regular check-ins to see how staff are doing.

Targeted interventions

when people need them, either provided in-house or by effective signposting, when issues like burnout, stress or resilience are a problem.

A culture of self-care

where mechanisms for staff to look after themselves are shared and encouraged, such as mobile apps, mindfulness techniques and lifestyle changes.

Implementation

Workshops and Seminars

We organize regular workshops and seminars led by mental health experts to educate workers on various aspects of mental health, covering relevant topics like stress management, coping strategies, and accessing mental health support services.

We have an established peer support program where experienced healthcare workers can mentor and support their colleagues in dealing with mental health challenges while providing training for peer supporters to ensure they have the necessary skills to offer effective assistance.

We implement regular communication channels (e.g newsletters, emails, meetings) to reinforce mental health awareness messages and updates. This includes weekly mental health newsletters to all registered agency workers and broadcasting our commitment and action plan on our social media pages.

We encourage open discussions about mental health in the workplace to reduce stigma and promote a supportive environment.

Support and confidential counselling.

We work in partnership with external mental health organizations, who can offer confidential counselling services and ensure our workers are aware of and comfortable accessing these services when needed. We also encourage open communication between workers and recruitment consultants regarding their mental health needs.

Referral Network

We work with a network of mental health professionals and support services within the community to facilitate timely referrals for workers requiring specialized assistance beyond what the agency can provide.

Mental Health First Aid Training

Our recruitment consultants are Mental awareness trained and equipped with the skills to recognize and respond effectively to mental health crises or concerns. We also ensure our training content is regularly updated to reflect the latest developments in mental health awareness and support practices.

Regular Check-ins

We have an established routine check-in with workers to monitor their mental well-being and offer support proactively. We also encourage workers to openly communicate their needs and concerns during these check-ins.

Monitoring and Evaluation

We establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor the impact of mental health awareness and support initiatives and conduct regular evaluations to assess the effectiveness of programs and make necessary adjustments based on feedback and outcomes.

Continuous Improvement

We foster a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging ongoing learning, feedback, and innovation in mental health support practices. We regularly review and update policies and procedures to ensure alignment with best practices and evolving needs.

The toolkit below from NHS employers and other partner agencies are also helpful in supporting workers in the following:

Click here