A Message from the Editor,

Sonia Last 📝

Mental health champions know that whether mental, emotional, physical or spiritual, the threats to our health and happiness are many. That’s why having real conversations and developing awareness are so important to our understanding of the human condition. Only through having an insight into one another’s challenges can we understand their impacts and how we might help mitigate them.

A small tweak here or adjustment there could make a profound difference to someone’s functionality and therefore quality of life. Understanding empowers us to help where we can.

All we need do is open the conversation, listen with intent, and take the small leap of faith that allows someone the chance to flourish.

Sonia

Sonia Last

Editor

A little Reminder

Our online Network Events have become the ‘go-to coffee break / info and sharing session’ for those honing their practice as mental health champions at work, at home or in the community. These are relaxed, free and informative online discussions with people across industries and sectors. Everyone is welcome to tap in for a listen or a chat.

Register here for your Zoom invite to the next Network Event on:

Thursday 22 May, 12:00 - 1:30pm.

Register Here!

It is always shocking to realise that workplaces are often the source and cause of poor mental health. Those of you who are changing this dynamic are the UK’s real workplace champions. By helping to make our working environments safer and more pleasant, you are creating a positive ripple of wellbeing that flows into people’s homes and communities. There is much to be done though, as the following reports attest:

• The ‘HSE Work Related Stress, Depression or Anxiety statistics in Great Britain 2024’ (November 2024) have cited workload pressures and a lack of managerial support as the main factors causing work-related mental ill health. This totally avoidable state of affairs is destroying people’s lives and our country's economic growth.

With nearly a million people affected and an estimated 16 million+ working days lost in the UK alone, it seems that management and job design need a serious overhaul and paradigm shift.

For a macro view on these issues, here are some global analytics to ponder:

• Gallup State of the Global Workplace: 2024 Report.
• When workplace conflict becomes a challenge, refresh your skills with a helpful guide from CIPD - Preventing and dealing with bullying and workplace conflict: Guide for Managers.

National and international ‘Awareness Days/Weeks/Months’ are important for our education and understanding of human health. Being respectful of one another’s challenges requires that we develop deeper insights into how things impact people. Small adjustments can help someone to function more fully and better awareness will help us to appreciate and understand just that little bit more.

May Awareness Dates:

13th-19th May – Mental Health Awareness Week

This major annual event's theme for 2025 is 'Community'.

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Books that are currently inspiring me

Bit of a theme going on here...

‘Four Fields’ by Tim Dee – a lyrical and mesmerising look at fields and how we use them.

‘Wildwood’ by Rodger Deakin - an enchanting social and historical exploration of our relationship with trees.

‘Braiding Sweetgrass’ – Robin Wall Kimmerer – Indigenous American wisdom about how we live with and treat the natural environment.

On a more serious note… I’m re-reading’ Wind in the Willows’ because, as C.S Lewis predicted, ‘Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again’.

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Let’s keep leaning in, lifting each other up, and building spaces where everyone feels they belong.

We hope to see you at our free Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Workplace Network Session on 22nd May.

Warm wishes,

Sonia and the MHScot Team