Summit aims to fight the stigma of mental health
THE first Liverpool City Region mental health summit has taken place at Runcorn Shopping City.
Metro mayor Steve Rotheram was joined by delegates to discuss ways of supporting employers to tackle mental health stigma, reduce sickness absence and boost staff wellbeing and productivity.
During the summit, representatives from the LCR combined authority and Merseytravel signed up to the campaign group, Time To Change’s employer pledge in a bid to encourage other workplaces to improve their practices relating to their employees’ mental health and wellbeing.
Speaking ahead of the event, Mr Rotheram said: “I made a clear commitment in my manifesto to use the position of metro mayor to advocate for those impacted by mental ill health and champion the services required to improve their lives.
“I believe an important first step is to sign the Time To Change pledge on behalf of the LCR combined authority.
“But I want to go much further than this and that is why I have called together a summit of experts working in front-line services to learn from their experiences, shape best practice and work together on a long-term region-wide strategy to improve mental health and wellbeing.”
Luciana Berger MP, who was unable to attend the summit as planned and who is the mayoral advisor on mental health, said: “Good mental health and wellbeing in the workplace makes for a motivated, committed and productive workforce.
“Employers across the city region are increasingly acknowledging the importance of raising awareness in the workplace.
“I congratulate those that have already signed the Time To Change pledge and encourage others to join the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Merseytravel in doing so.”
Cllr Liam Robinson, chairman of the city region transport committee, which oversees the work of Merseytravel, said: “We know that good transport links can reduce social isolation, improve access to education, get people into employment and socialise with friends and family, all important factors which impact on an individual’s mental health, so I’m pleased Merseytravel can be here today to sign the pledge.
“As a responsible employer, we’re really keen to promote the importance of good mental health not only to employees and workers in the transport industry, but to the many passengers who travel on our network.
“Our aim is for all modes of transport in the city region to be accessible and inclusive to everyone, regardless of disability whether that’s visible or not, and campaigns like Time To Talk are really important in raising that awareness and reducing stigma.”
Sue Baker OBE, director of Time To Change, said: “We know it can be hard to talk about mental health, which is why we’re supporting employers to open up; to talk and to listen.
“Too many people with mental health problems are made to feel isolated, ashamed and worthless, but with the right support, those of us with mental health problems can recover and have equal opportunities in all areas of life.
“It’s fantastic to see organisations like Liverpool City Region Combined Authority taking the lead.
“Many employers have found that making a strategic commitment to the mental wellbeing of their workforce not only benefits their staff but also their bottom-line, improving produc- tivity and staff retention.
“With one in six British workers experiencing mental illness it’s time ● for businesses to make a change and start creating more mentally healthy workplaces.”