Mental health at work in spotlight

Mental health needs to be a key focus for workplaces, education and health care in 2019, to stop people facing unfair discrimination, according to a mental health organisation.

See Me, the national p ro g ramme t o end mental health stigma and discrimination, has called on public bodies, private organisations and people across North Lanarkshire to do more to ensure that people struggling with their mental health are treated fairly. They want this to start with this year’s Time to Talk day on February 7, a day for everyone to talk about mental health. The most recent research into mental health shows that people aren’t willing to speak about how they are feeling, for fear of the reaction they will receive.

Last year’s Our Voice survey found that only 40 per cent of people are willing to speak to their manager at work about their mental health. As well as that, 69 per cent have witnessed others being treated differently or unfairly because of their mental health problems.

Calum Irving, See Me director, said: “People with mental health problems face unacceptably high levels of stigma and discrimination.

“We all have mental health and any of us could go through a period where we struggle.

“In these times we need the help and support of those around us to give us the best chance of recovery.

“So we want to see workplaces, communities, schools, health providers in North Lanarkshire to come together to talk about mental health this year, starting with Time to Talk day.”

You can get involved in Time to Talk day by ordering or downloading materials and support packs at https:// www.seemescotland.org/