Union Learning Reps and the team from Learn with Unite in North East, Yorkshire and Humber had a busy time during Mental Health Awareness Day this October where they supported a number of workplaces including Barclays, York Hospital and Hull City Council across the region raising awareness of Mental Health.

Andy Cullen is a Union Learning Organiser for Unite the Unions ULF project and he joined Union Learning Reps in running a mental health awareness stand at York Teaching Hospital on the day, as well as supporting events in Scarborough and Bridlington who are part of the Unite campaign.

Andy explained:

Running a mental health stand at York Hospital on National Mental Health Day was to raise the profile of the need to learn more about mental health, challenge the stigma and let staff and patients know “It’s ok, to not be ok”. “ 

Unite is keen to raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing in the workplace, and they run courses throughout the year for Unite representatives to raise their awareness of topics linked to Mental Health.

The union also runs Mental Health First Aider courses enabling representatives to identify the early signs of mental ill health, provide help to prevent mental ill heath from getting worse and support members to recover more quickly.

Andy said:

At York Hospital Staff side reps have approached York teaching Hospital Trust to deliver mental Health awareness training. The Trusts mental health group has agreed to fund the TUC Mental Health course.”

Michelle Hartlett is Unite Branch Secretary at York Teaching Hospital and added:

I believe mental health has been a taboo subject that we need to as union representatives be more aware of in this age.”

I have had a number of members this year that have suffered greatly. We have asked the Trust to provide mental health first aid courses for staff that are able to help assist and triage at the earliest opportunity. This will hopefully help members feel there is someone to talk to.”

The stalls on Mental Health Awareness Day were just part of Unites campaign in the hospitals and Michelle highlighted the fact that the union is always there for people to speak to and encouraged members to attend the mental health awareness courses to keep their knowledge up to date.

The campaign has been successful so far in supporting individual members, as Michelle explains:

We had lots of individuals come to us and speak out about their struggles and worries and we were then able to chase up those people to provide advice and support linking in with the health assured service the Trust provides.

“I will be encouraging managers to attend these courses so they are able to see signs that their staff are needing further support.”

Unite are working with a wide range of members and employers across the country to promote good mental health at work, but Andy feels that it is an area that is particularly important in the health sector.

Andy said:

Mental health isn’t sector specific but many of the Health Trusts appear to be feeling the impact on Mental Health and Wellbeing in the workplace. The mounting pressures from within their place of work such as staff shortages, lack of skills in certain fields, under investment and the pressure to deliver quality care can be a contributing factor to impact on an individual’s mental health and wellbeing.”

Campaigns like the one run by Unite North East, Yorkshire and Humber can provide vital support for members under pressure.