Supporting mental health in the workplace

It is important to be aware of the types of mental health problems that may be experienced within the workplace in order to recognise the signs of more common mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. As part of this awareness, it is also beneficial to understand that the way in which a mental health problem affects an individual’s ability to cope at work will depend on that individual’s level of susceptibility, resilience and breadth of coping skills.

Further guidance on understanding mental health problems can be found at the Mind website.

Where to find support

If you wish to discuss a mental health condition, you may do so, in confidence, with your HR Manager or Line Manager (Meet the Team). They will have a variety of resources and services available to them to offer you support at work. HRMs respond within 24 hours maximum to any contact made by a staff member during the working week.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Policy Statement

Togetherall

Togetherall is a community based support network providing 24/7 access to peer-to-peer and professional support. The platform also has a range of online courses and tools to help people self-manage their personal well-being in a safe, anonymous environment.

All staff can now access free online support with Togetherall.

If you are experiencing low mood, feeling stressed, anxious, struggling to sleep, or things just feel difficult at present, Togetherall can help you access support, take control and feel better.

Togetherall provides a safe space online to communicate with others in an anonymous global community and also provides access a range of self-help resources and guided courses covering a wide range of topics.

This includes subjects from managing stress and anxiety to quitting smoking, all with the aim of providing you with advice on helpful coping strategies and behaviours to improve your well-being. 

While accessing Togetherall, you are anonymous to other users and your personal information is kept secure while you are on the site (see Togetherall’s privacy statement here).  

The University will not be informed if you use the Togetherall platform, unless there are serious concerns about your immediate welfare and safety. Trained mental health professionals are online 24/7 to help keep users safe and provide extra support where required.

Togetherall is easy to access, simply visit the Togetherall website and sign up under ‘organisation’ using your Liverpool Hope email address. 

Counselling services

The University provides a counselling service for staff, this is a chance to take time out and take stock if you are facing difficulties or challenges in some aspect of your life. You can explore these with a counsellor. They will offer some immediate insights and coping strategies as appropriate and suggest possible ways forward using the most relevant approaches for you. More information can be found in the Staff Counselling Leaflet.

Domestic Violence

Support for staff experiencing domestic abuse can be obtained via the University’s Domestic Abuse Policy.

Education Support Partnership

The Education Support Partnership provides a 24 hours helpline to all staff working in education. There is also a web chat and email service.

Web: www.educationsupport.org.uk/

Work Related Stress

Pressure is part of everyday life, but if it is excessive or prolonged pressure, this can lead to stress. 

Stress is the word that many people use when they are describing how the demands of their life seem to be becoming too great for them to cope with. This ability to cope varies from person to person and what one person finds stressful may not be a problem for another. Whilst many of us suffer with stress at times in our day-to-day lives, long-term stress is known to be bad for our health and many of us would like to find ways to gain some control over it.

As an employer, the University places a high value on maintaining a healthy and safe working environment for all its employees and recognises that this duty of care extends to mental as well as physical health at work. Mental health problems have many causes, including both stresses in the workplace and in the life of employees away from work. Further information can be found in The University Work Related Stress Policy Statement.

If you are worried about your own health and stress levels, or that of a colleague, please speak to your line manager or HR Manager. The Work Pressure Identification Proforma may help you work out where work pressures are. Your manager will have access to other tools to identify work pressure with you.