Firms urged to sign up to mental health scheme

Businesses of all sizes across Staffordshire are being offered the chance to boost productivity by working with the University of Derby to provide better mental health support for employees.

The Mental Health and Productivity pilot will see the implementation of new workplace interventions at pilot organisations and the rollo ut of existing approaches in small, medium and large businesses across the Midlands Engine region.

The programme aims to:

• contribute to the reduction of mental health distress
• break down the barriers to accessing care faced by people experiencing mental illness
• support their continuation in and return to work
• make a positive contribution to organisational productivity, in terms of wellbeing and economic outcomes

The pilot will link employers directly to initiatives such as Every Mind Matters, This is Me and Mental Health First Aid, which all provide expert guidance.

Businesses taking part will be asked to attend an initial meeting to discuss how the programme would work for their company, creating a roadmap for its success, and promoting their commitment to the pilot in the workplace.