Putting mental health at the forefront of employee wellbeing

The way we think about mental health has changed a lot over recent years. The Covid-19 pandemic has of course had a significant impact. With lockdowns and travel restrictions forcing people into isolation, mental health became a major concern.

 

And the impact is still being felt. New NHS figures reveal reveal that ambulance crews in England are spending 1.8m hours a year – the equivalent of 75,000 days – responding to patients with mental health problems.

 

This highlights why dedicated initiatives like Mental Health Awareness Week are so important. Not only for raising awareness and understanding of issues such as anxiety, but also for ensuring that – from government to businesses to individuals – it is being tackled in the right way across society.

 

 

Before we dive into the practicalities of supporting mental health, it’s important to recognise what it means in the context of general wellbeing. Traditionally, wellbeing has largely been thought of in terms of physical fitness. But it is now being viewed more holistically than ever before, encompassing physical, mental, spiritual, emotional and financial components – among others – all of which are interconnected. If one is suffering, it can have a detrimental effect on everything else.

 

Speaking on one of our recent podcasts Laura Hopper, Business Consultant and Co-chair of our Mindset Employee Resource Group (ERG), encapsulates how the perception of wellbeing has evolved: “I used to think of wellbeing as going to the gym in the morning or for a run at the weekend. But as my life has changed and I’ve become a mum, I now see wellbeing as meaning mental health as well as physical. It’s about making sure I look after myself and have time to do the things I like doing.”

 

Thinking about wellbeing and mental health holistically also means addressing them in relation to the workplace as well as our personal lives. It’s inevitable that things like our workplace environment, company culture and relationships with colleagues will have a tangible impact on our overall wellbeing. As such, businesses have to shoulder some of the responsibility.

 

This is especially true with hybrid working now the norm, particularly here at BAE Systems Digital Intelligence. With employees spending more time working from home, we as employers must find ways to protect individuals from issues such as burnout, loneliness and anxiety. As 92% of 2023 graduates want workplace mental health benefits, it’s something we know is important to our current and future workforces and – as a responsible business – something we want to be prepared to provide to the best of our ability.

 

 

 

With the pandemic changing the perspective on the importance of mental health and wellbeing at work, one tactic we’ve found to be extremely effective in providing the support today’s employees are looking for is building communities.

 

Employees must feel like they have safe spaces where they can go to share experiences and advice with colleagues who have faced similar challenges. Feeling isolated at work will only exacerbate any mental health issue, whereas building internal communities can go a long way towards providing a sense of comfort and belonging.

 

That’s the goal of our MindSet ERG, which provides a safe space where employees can talk with peers about mental health challenges. As well as providing access to a range of internal and external resources to help employees manage their mental wellbeing, Mindset works with the business to help create a culture of openness and conversation that runs from top to bottom. The group also runs virtual meetings and physical events, such as lunches and coffee mornings, to discuss key issues and provide networking opportunities within the company.

 

The communication aspect is particularly important. It’s all about giving people the freedom to talk openly about mental health. The more we talk about it, the more we normalise it and help colleagues feel comfortable having those conversations. “The thought of anybody suffering in silence is horrific,” says Laura. “I would encourage people to be as open as possible so that they can carry on their journey of staying well within work rather than it just being a private thing at home.”

 

But we must remember that this is a two-way street. Individuals must feel they are able to speak openly, and the rest of the business must be able to give a positive response when they do. This requires an organisational culture that reduces the fear and stigma of mental health at all levels. We all have a part to play in creating a culture where people feel able and safe to prioritise their wellbeing.

 

 

Of course, supporting mental health doesn’t stop with employee resource groups. That’s why – as well as Mindset – we have a range of tools, resources and initiatives in place to support our employees through mental health and wellbeing challenges.

 

For example, our UK employees have access to the wellbeing platform Unmind – which they can share with a family member, friend or loved one. And we maintain a ‘Mental Health and Wellbeing’ hub called HeadShed that provides information around our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), information cards, training resources – which we review annually – and mental health first aiders.

 

Indeed, our community of mental health first aiders is continuing to grow across the company, such as with the addition of 22 leaders in Malaysia in 2022. BAE Systems Digital Intelligence was the first company in Malaysia to have staff trained as certified Mental Health first Aiders by the Malaysia Mental Health Association, and the rollout will continue throughout 2023.

 

We also provide access to, and require completion of, mental health training modules to help employees understand the impact of mental health issues such as anxiety and spot potential signs that someone in their team might be struggling. This helps ensure that employees across the business are better placed to help colleagues through difficult times.

 

Ultimately, we know that mental health affects us all and anxiety – the theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week – has the potential to affect people’s lives at home and at work. That’s why we’ll never stop providing the care and support our employees need to feel their best and work through any mental health challenges.