To mark World Mental Health Day 2022, the Isle of Wight council signed a new wellbeing pledge committing to prioritising mental health and wellbeing in the workplace.
By signing the ‘Time to Change’ pledge, the council will continue to
- promote an open culture around mental health;
- provide mental health tools and support;
- proactively ensure work design and organisational culture drive positive mental health outcomes;
- increase organisational confidence and capability.
Perera: Important that staff can reach out for help
Wendy Perera, as head of paid service at the council, is passionate about supporting her teams.
She said,
“One in four of us will experience a mental health problem at any one time. It is really important to me that should any member of Team IWC find themselves in need of support, that they can not only reach out for help, but that we can provide them with effective tools to support them.
“Since we signed the ‘Time to Change’ pledge in 2018, we’ve put a number of initiatives in place to encourage our colleagues to talk about their mental health and wellbeing in confidence, and to have the support they need, when they need it.”
What’s provided
The council provides:
- employee assistance programme of confidential support for physical, mental and financial health tools;
- occupational health;
- confidential mental health support, supporting colleagues with depression, anxiety, stress or other mental health issues affecting their work;
- a team of trained mental health first aiders providing support with mental health issues or emotional distress.
Cllr Michael Lilley, the council’s mental health champion, signed the pledge with interim chief executive, Wendy Perera, and council leader, Cllr Lora Peacey-Wilcox.
Lilley: Just as important as physical health
Cllr Lilley said,
“Mental health is just as important as physical health.
“It’s essential that people know that they can get the help they need, and I am proud to sign this pledge in support of the extensive work taking place to support our teams if they need it.”
The council’s mental health working group works with colleagues across the council to develop effective initiatives, campaigns and activities to reduce the stigma associated with mental health in the workplace and provide support.
News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed
Image: © Wendy Perera, Lora Peacey-Wilcox and Michael Lilley
