It’s good to talk
Talking and getting things off our chest can make life better, not just for us, but for those around us. Conversations have the power to create friendships and make you laugh. And when things don’t seem to be going to plan, conversations can help you make sense of the world.
Talking about mental health is not always easy which is why, on 2 February 2023, the mental health charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness will be running their and Time to Talk Day 2023. The day aims to create supportive communities by having conversations with family, friends, or colleagues about mental health.
By talking about Mental Health, we can support ourselves and others.
One in four of us will experience a mental health problem in any given year [1].
Talking about mental health with your colleagues isn’t easy, but it’s the best way to reduce the stigma surrounding it. Talking about mental health at work also creates supportive communities where we can speak openly about mental health issues and seek help when needed.
Lending an ear – some tips from Time to Talk Day to get your workplace talking.
Time to Talk Day provide the following tips to make sure you’re approaching conversations about mental health in a helpful way [2]:
- Ask questions and listen - allow the person space to express how they’re feeling and what they’re going through. It will help you to understand their experience better.
- Think about the time and place - sometimes, it’s easier to talk side by side rather than face to face. You might want to chat while you are doing something else.
- Don’t try and fix it - talking can be powerful, so unless they’ve asked for advice directly, it might be best to listen.
- Treat them the same - If you want to support someone, keep it simple. Do the things you’d normally do.
- Be patient - some people might not be ready to talk about what they’re going through. The fact that you’ve tried to speak to them about it may make it easier for them to open up another time.
Support and advice for you and your team.
Mental health issues can affect your employees and lead to absence or presenteeism. Often, sympathetic, impartial support and advice may be all that’s needed. Members of the ECIS Private Medical Insurance scheme with Bupa can access the Employee Assistance Programme. It’s a free, confidential telephone service to support your employees with issues impacting their wellbeing and work performance.
The service is available 24/7, and the helpline provides support from qualified experts. Employees can get practical support by accessing an online resource offering self-help topics to help them manage their issues.
How ECIS can help.
ECIS is a regulated insurance broker who provide Private Medical Insurance for Members of the construction industry. If you’re thinking about Private Medical Insurance for your employees, speak to the ECIS team by calling 0330 221 0241 or emailing ecis@ecins.co.uk.
If you already have healthcare, ECIS can review your current arrangements and provide a quotation to compare against your existing policy.
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