Employee Benefits poll: More than one-third (36.3%) of organisations either did introduce, or were planning on introducing, new mental health support benefits, events and initiatives as part of Mental Health Awareness Week (15 – 21 May), according to a survey of Employee Benefits readers.
Just 5.4% either did or were planning on introducing mental health support but not run any events during the week, while 31% either did or were planning on running events to raise awareness, but not any new related benefits.
Meanwhile, 27.2% did not introduce any new benefits or run any events to mark Mental Health Awareness Week.
Earlier this month, Employee Benefits reported that several employers introduced new benefits and initiatives to mark Mental Health Awareness Week.
Law firm Hugh James added 13 accredited mental health first aiders to support its 660 members of staff across the UK by spotting the signs and symptoms of mental ill-health, and providing help on a first aid basis by guiding affected employees towards the appropriate support.
Di Brooks, director of HR at Hugh James, said: “By increasing the number of mental health first aiders, we’re creating a culture where people feel comfortable talking about mental health. We must do what we can to normalise conversations around mental health and create opportunities to raise awareness and show our employees how we can support them.”
Additionally, development, building and property maintenance firm Wates Group introduced mental health awareness training to help prevent suicide among young people. A total of 90 of its employees will be offered training in applied suicide intervention skills as part of a renewed drive to reduce suicide rates in the construction industry.
Eoghan O’Lionaird, chief executive at Wates Group, said: “As employers, we not only feel a responsibility to address the issue of suicide within our industry, but we are also committed to supporting the communities where we work, to do more to promote wellbeing among young people, and to stop these numbers from continuing to rise.”
