Mental Health

What is mental health?

The World Health Organisation define mental health as

"Mental Health is not just the absence of mental disorder. It is defined as a state of well being in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community"

We all have mental health, just like we all have physical health; sometimes we feel well and sometimes we feel unwell.

Mental health is just as important as physical health and can have a huge impact on our ability to participate in education, work and society.

What is stress?

Health & Safety Executive definition of work related stress

"The adverse reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demand placed on them at work"

Stress is not an illness - it is a state. However, if stress becomes too excessive and prolonged, mental and physical illness may develop.

Signs of stress in individuals

If you are suffering from some of the following symptoms it may indicate that you are feeling the effects of stress.

Emotional

• Disappointment with yourself
• Negative or depressive feelings
• Increased emotional reactions - more tearful or sensitive or aggressive
• Loneliness, withdrawn
• Loss of motivation commitment and confidence
• Mood swings (not behavioural)

Mental

• Confusion, indecision
• Can't concentrate
• Poor memory

Changes from your normal behaviour

• Changes in eating habits
• Increased smoking, drinking or drug taking 'to cope'
• Mood swings effecting your behaviour
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Twitchy, nervous behaviour
• Changes in attendance such as arriving later or taking more time off.

Please note these are indicators of behaviour of those experiencing stress. They may also be indicative of other conditions. If you are concerned about yourself please seek advice from your GP. If you are concerned about a colleague try to convince them to see their GP.

Signs of stress in a group

• Disputes and disaffection within the group
• Increase in staff turnover
• Increase in complaints and grievances
• Increased sickness absence
• Increased reports of stress
• Difficulty in attracting new staff
• Poor performance
• Customer dissatisfaction or complaints

It is not up to you or your managers to diagnose stress. If you or they are very worried about a person, recommend they see their GP. It is up to you and your managers to recognise that behaviours have changed be aware that something is wrong and take prompt action. Take care not to over react to small changes in behaviour. You and your managers need to act when these behavioural changes continue. Use these symptoms (both individual and group) as clues.

Stress Policy

Bradford Council has set out the responsibilities of both managers and employees in relation to stress in its Stress Policy

There are two main actions that need to be taken, stress risk assessments and stress management action plans.

Stress Risk Assessments

It is a manager's responsibility to ensure that effective risk assessments are carried out and are monitored regularly. The purpose of a risk assessment is to identify hazards in the workplace that could lead to stress and identify and review controls in place to manage those risks.

Corporate Stress Policy and Stress Management Actions plans (individual or group)

Link further support contact occupational.safety@bradford.gov.uk.

Stress Management Action Plans

It is a manger's responsibility to develop a stress management action plan with individual employees. This will either be when

• The employee feels that stress is impacting on their well being and causing difficulties for the employee to remain in work
• The employee is off work citing work related stress as the reason for absence

The aim of completing a stress management action plan is to understand, what the employee perceives as stressors and to consider actions to support the employee's well being. Completing the stress management action plan will ensure that you as the manager have proactively addressed work related stress.

Link to form and guidance (Word document)

For further support contact Resolution Coordinator on 431141

Guidance on reasonable adjustments maybe found on the Manager's guide to reasonable adjustments for mental illness (PDF)

Support for employees

GP

If you are concerned about your mental health, you should make an appointment to see your GP.

Talking therapies

Talking therapy is for anyone who's going through a bad time or has emotional problems they can't sort out on their own. Bradford District Care Trust offers a free talking therapies service known as IAPT, Improving Access to Psychological Therapies. This free service is open to any employee whose GP practice is located in Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale or Craven. They offer a wide range of treatment including; stress management evening class, counselling, cognitive behaviour therapy, self help guidance and relaxation techniques. You can self refer to the Service; they will assess your needs and offer treatment where necessary. It is important that when you self refer you give the code LA1; this will ensure that if you need any treatment you will be prioritised.

For employees living outside the district, your GP will be able to refer you to your local IAPT service.

Employees can self refer for talking therapies (Word).

Mental Health Support Service

The Mental Health Support Service is for anyone in employment who has a mental health condition (diagnosed or undiagnosed) that has resulted in workplace absence or is causing difficulties for the employee to remain in work. This includes employees experiencing stress, depression, anxiety and other mental health issues. It is a free, confidential service which provides employees with workplace mental wellbeing support and advice for six months. This Service is funded by Government's Department for Work & Pensions and delivered by Remploy in partnership with Access to Work.

Employees can self refer for the Mental Health Support Service (PDF).

Health Trainers

Bradford District Care Trust offers Health Trainers to anyone over 16 years living in Bradford and Airedale. Health Trainers support and coach people to set and achieve SMART goals that can help improve physical, mental and social health and well being.

This is a free service offered to those who are ready to make a positive lifestyle or behaviour change.

Employees can self refer for the Health Trainer Service (PDF)

Employees who live outside of the district will be able to source local health trainers via their GP practice.

Training opportunities

Workforce Development offers a variety of training opportunities focussing on health and well being. They have delivered sessions on stress awareness, mental health first aid, and psychological well being. There are also e learning courses on health and well being.

For up to date information on well being training opportunities please look at Evolve.