The CWU is at the forefront of promoting support and guidance to those suffering a mental health issue, via a network of Mental Health First Aiders (MHFA). The North West CWU Region strives to involve as many MHFAs as possible within the union in sharing advice and support as well as best practice across all Branches of the CWU.
Gary Owens from CWU Branch York & Distract Amal, is very active within the Mental Health Network here in the North West and has designed a poster aimed at providing contact information in an easily read format that quickly gives details of organisations that provide support for those needing advice, support, and encouragement to talk about their mental health issues.
You can download the poster by clicking on the image below.
Speaking to Unionsafety about his motivation for designing the poster, Gary said:
"From someone who struggles with mental health, I understand what people are going through- it’s a sensitive (taboo) subject that we don’t open up or talk about.
We would rather say “I’m fine , I’m ok”.. so we all know people don’t open up & find it difficult to ask for support.
I wanted to develop a poster to signpost people to support groups .. it’s about getting people talking , let them know they are not alone & it’s about saving a life .."
As Gary said, talking can save lives and provide urgent support to someone who has reached a crisis point in their lives and for whom suicide may well feel as their only option.
With statistics showing an alarming number of work-related suicides, especially amongst men, the concept of Mental Health First Aiders has been fundamental in providing those suffering with a point of contact in their workplace.
The Mental Health Foundation says of suicide:
In the UK in 2019, 6524 people took their own lives. Men are three times more likely than women to die by suicide. Women are more likely to report suicidal thoughts.
Men aged 45 to 49 and women aged 50 to 54 have the highest suicide rates in England and Wales.
Campaign group Hazards have been argueing for many years about work-related suicide and the fact that the HSE does not report statistical evidence of the appalling death-toll in the UK of people being driven to suicide by work pressures, and the lack of decent work-life balance. Furthermore, employers are in the main unable to address the mental health issues facing many of their workforce, and fail to both risk assess the processes and culture of their organisation.
The lack of support in preventing suicide is one of the main reasons why work-related suicides are so high.
MHFAs are trained in being an ear to those needing to talk with someone who understands the pain and suffering mental health suffers go through every day. Non-judgemental, empathising, and able to signpost their colleagues to support services; is known to save lives.
Source: unionsafety / Gary Owens / CWU NW Mental Health Support Network
