Joint effort to tackle mental health issue
Codes 6 different www.wishawpress.co.uk/bfholidays the booking form
Leaders and key figures of the voluntary sector and public services in North Lanarkshire have joined forces to tackle the stigma around talking about mental health.
Six organisations that make up North Lanarkshire Partnership Strategic Leadership Board – North Lanarkshire Council, NHS Lanarkshire, Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire and Scottish Enterprise – have united and signed the Stigma Free Lanarkshire pledge.
Jointly they will develop a new action plan to end the stigma around discussing personal mental health.
The leaders of the six organisations have pledged to ensure that cultural change takes place from the very top – and will help create informal support networks and help lines.
There’s been an increased focus on mental health in both the workplace and the community during the Covid-19 pandemic with the psychological wellbeing of many employees hit hard. But up to 40 per cent of employees feel they can’t talk about their mental health to their employers.
Tackling the stigma surrounding mental illness and encouraging employees to speak up about their problems is an area where leaders can really help to radically change workplace culture and attitudes among staff on the ground in their own organisations.
June Vallance, executive manager of Getting Better Together in Shotts, signed the pledge as she is also the chair of North Lanarkshire Community and Voluntary Sector.
She said: “There are lots of myths surrounding mental health and mental health problems. Let’s break down mental health stigma together. We’re going to pass on facts and positive approaches to help challenge myths and stereotypes so all people can play a part in challenging stigma and discrimination around mental health.”
With around three-quarters of public sector staff in North Lanarkshire living within the local authority area, generating change in the workplace will also have wider benefits in communities in the local authority area.
Des Murray, chief executive of North Lanarkshire Council, said: “We want to make sure we’re doing everything we possibly can to support our people, our communities and our employees, whether it’s during these challenging times of Covid-19 or, indeed, at any time in the future, to ensure that everyone’s health and wellbeing is at the centre of our priorities.
“Play your part, look after each other, find that space and time each week and day to make sure your health and wellbeing is a priority for you and let’s work together to support each other.”
Police Scotland Chief Superintendent Alan Waddell is chair of the North Lanarkshire Partnership Strategic Leadership Board.
He added: “There’s much that we all need to do to bring about a cultural change in how we talk about and consider mental health.
“It all starts with greater acceptance and understanding by everyone.”