Mental Health Awareness Week
The 10th-16th May marks Mental Health Awareness Week, a great time to evaluate mental health at work and how it is promoted, or not, in the workplace. It also provides an opportunity for Bectu to raise awareness of the issues highlighted in our Dignity at Work campaign, such as unequal pay, lack of diversity and long hours culture.
Much of the creative industries have suffered devastation at the hands of the pandemic, with thousands of workers left without an income or meaningful support from the government. The individual and collective impact has been enormous and the road to recovery is challenging. With so much change and hardship in our work and personal lives, now more than ever, trade unions should be campaigning for improved workers’ mental health.
For those who moved to home working, the line between home and work has blurred leaving many finding it difficult to switch off. Our ‘Right to Disconnect’ guide aims to improve workers mental health by ensuring a fair work-life balance and establishing the responsibility of unions in safeguarding employees who work from home.
I want to encourage everyone in Bectu to promote good mental health and wellbeing in our branches and workplaces. As part of Mental Health Awareness Week, we are highlighting tips and best practise, through webinars, case studies, podcasts and online resources.
In the lead up to Mental Health Awareness Week we asked Bectu and Prospect reps how we could help union members and branches improve workers’ wellbeing. The answers will inform the work that we do going forward.
If you want to explore Bectu’s resources, content and guides on mental health at work check out our mental health hub.