Before I joined the organisation, the CCG had already signed a pledge to commit to
supporting the aims of Time to Change; challenging mental health stigma and
discrimination.
In order to help raise awareness,
increase knowledge, and drive change within the workplace, Richard Kirby, CCG
Service Improvement Officer agreed to become an “employee champion” and he helped
to develop an action plan. The plan includes a number of events, built around
the staff here at the CCG, but also reaching out into the communities we serve.
One of the actions requires me to compile a blog—something I am delighted to be
able to do.
The statistics show that one in
four people will experience a mental health problem, and even in a comparatively
small organisation such as the CCG, that still equates to a significant number
of people whose lives are, to whatever degree, affected by conditions that may
be unseen, but can have such a devastating impact.
As an employer, we will always do
whatever we can to support any member of our team; but much as the effects of a
physical illness or injury are likely to be obvious, it can be so much harder
to spot someone who is struggling to deal with any form of mental illness; more
so when even perceived stigma may cause the sufferer to try and hide their
condition.
However, I feel that over recent
months something very special has started to develop here at the CCG, and I
wanted to be able to share our experience with you.
Towards the end of 2016, Richard invited
his colleagues to a lunchtime talk about a form of mild, but chronic form of depression
called dysthymia. Richard was willing not only to reveal that he suffers from
dysthymia, but to discuss the various aspects of how it actually feels to have
a mental health condition; and also to answer any questions from those who work
alongside him—some of whom had no idea of his situation.
I know it was a difficult thing
for Richard to do, but as he said at the time, there is no shame in mental
illness and any embarrassment he felt from telling his story was outweighed by
the positive impact it might have on his colleagues.
In fact, the “impact” was that
two people felt able to talk publicly for the first time about their own
circumstances and experiences. It must have been such a huge step for them, but
one they felt able to take in such supportive surroundings–what a wonderful and
positive outcome.
In addition, Sarah Stringer, CCG Finance
and Governance Officer, has become heavily involved as a run leader with a
group called Neon Nights. Sarah ran in excess of 1,000 miles last year and she
has done a fantastic job in encouraging a number of her colleagues to start
running and enjoy the benefits of exercise.
Sarah has even found the time to
be a driving force behind the club’s participation in #runandtalk—a campaign to
get people talking about mental health, and support those experiencing mental
health problems to be physically active through taking up running.
Being able to have these open
conversations and having the opportunity to take part in group activities has
not only increased awareness and understanding of mental health issues, it has
definitely brought us closer together as a group…as a team.
We will, of course, continue to
support official Time to Change events but the very real “change” I have seen
in my time here is quietly, but undeniably, becoming part of our everyday
working lives and a strong foundation to our ongoing commitment to raise mental
health awareness. You can also read about Richard Kirby and his challenges on his own blog: www.richardkirby.org