MindWell, the mental health website for people in Leeds, commissioned by NHS Leeds CCG, is launching ‘MindWell at Work’, a new employee wellbeing guide for employers in Leeds on 13 May for Mental Health Awareness Week
The guide, produced in partnership with Mindful Employer Leeds, will provide an open online resource for all leaders, people managers and HR professionals in the city. It will help employers to take steps to promote workplace wellbeing and support staff who are experiencing problems with their mental health or struggling with difficulties outside of work such as a bereavement or relationship problems.
Adopting a proactive and preventative approach to wellbeing in the workplace can have many benefits for both employers and employees. It can help to increase staff commitment and productivity and reduce sick leave and staff turnover. Creating a happier, healthier workplace where people feel supported can also stop problems from escalating and help people to stay in work and thrive.
MindWell is encouraged by its work with Mindful Employer Leeds and local employers to produce a user-friendly guide that brings together practical guidance and information about local support and training options, in one ‘go-to’ place. MindWell at Work can be used by organisations and businesses of all sizes and has many wellbeing ideas that are free or low cost.
Councillor Rebecca Charlwood, Leeds City Council’s executive member for health, wellbeing and adults and Chair of Leeds Health and Wellbeing Board said, “I’m delighted to support the launch of ‘MindWell at Work’. One of our priorities in Leeds is promoting mental and physical health equally.
We want Leeds to be the best city for health and wellbeing, so it’s essential that our employers have good mental health awareness and support. ‘Mindwell at Work’ will be a valuable resource in making this happen.”
MindWell will be running a self-care campaign #MindWellMOT, in tandem with the #MindWellatWork launch, during Mental Health Awareness Week. We know that we need to do things everyday to take care of our physical health like brushing our teeth or eating our greens but we don’t often take the same approach with our emotional health.
A car won’t keep running without regular maintenance such as fuel top-ups, repairs and an MOT. In the same way, we need to take time to relax, restore and recharge each week to keep ourselves feeling healthy and with energy in the tank.
This campaign will encourage everyone in Leeds to think about their personal wellbeing needs and to take some small steps to look after their mental health. Moving more, eating a healthy diet, taking time to relax, nourishing your social networks and finding the coping strategies that work for you can all help to reduce the effects of stress and help build resilience.
