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‘It’s important to invest in employees and their mental health’
Creating a workplace culture that encourages open conversation about mental health is at the heart of the Time to Change pledge.
Mayor Marvin Rees cemented Bristol City Council’s commitment to improving the wellbeing of staff and challenging negative stigma when he signed the pledge ahead of the national Time to Talk day, which aims to get people talking about mental health.
He was joined by councillors, staff and the council’s CEO Mike Jackson.
Mayor of Bristol, Marvin Rees, signs the pledge
“We need to create a workplace culture where we all confident to open up the conversation around mental health,” said Rees.
“The work we do can play a big role in our mental health and there are many ways in which employers can support their staff.”
Time to Change is a national organisation, run by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, that aims to create a positive shift in public attitudes towards mental health problems, supporting communities, schools and workplaces.
Bristol has been a Time to Change hub for nearly a year, meaning its part of a network of organisations and individuals committed to ending negative attitudes towards poor mental health.
Signing the pledge is a public commitment to supporting employees’ wellbeing, providing additional training for managers and improving signposting to support.
Bristol City Council, one of the city’s largest employers, joins sixteen other organisations, including the University of Bristol and Midas Group, in becoming a Time to Change employer and signing the pledge.
Mike Jackson, chief executive at the council, commits to being a Time to Change employer
National representatives from Time to Change attended the event and Runa Uddin, senior employee champion officer at the charity, highlighted the importance of large employers, such as the council, signing and committing to ending negative stigma towards mental health.
She said: “When you’re investing in your employees, helping people to be their best selves, they will be thriving and driven and you are working towards your organisation’s values.
“It’s important to invest in your employees and their mental health.”
Read more: ‘How universities can support student mental health and wellbeing’
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