Mental Health Awareness Week 2022
5th May 2022
Hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, Mental Health Awareness Week takes place from 9th -15th May 2021. The theme is this year is 'Loneliness’ – something many of us will have felt at times.
According to Mental Health Awareness Week, loneliness is affecting more and more of us in the UK and has had a huge impact on our physical and mental health during the pandemic.
Here is a little look at what we’re doing at Draper Tools to support our team’s mental wellbeing as well as some helpful resources you can reach out to.
Coming together
Loneliness if often associated with the older generation and currently, 1.4 million older people in the UK are often lonely and half a million older people go at least five or six days a week without seeing or speaking to anyone at all.
We’ll be working with local charity The Saints Foundation and taking part in the Senior Saints health walks, coming together with local elderly people for friendly company and engaging conversation. Both the Draper volunteers and the elderly people in our community should feel some of the mental health benefits of being out walking in nature and making new connections.
Prioritising mental health
Mental health and wellbeing is something we try to prioritise all year, as our MD Graham Wade explained:
“We have made some big improvements in when it comes to health and wellbeing, thanks to the great work by our HR team. We have regular wellbeing meetings with all teams in the business, both home and abroad to see how people are and offer any support we can. Some people really struggle balancing home and work life, especially if they are working remotely, so we try to do all we can to help and understand people’s individual needs. The introduction of mental health first aiders and mental health champions has been a really great step forward. Also having all senior people in our business trained in mental health awareness means we can spot those struggling faster and give them the help and advice they need. Regular wellbeing sessions on fitness, nutrition to name a couple, have been introduced and well received too.”
Seeking support
Checking in with yourself and recognising when you or others might be struggling matters more than ever. For anyone who needs it we have rounded up some useful mental health resources for the difficult times we’re all facing at the moment.
Help for the construction industry
If you’re in the construction industry, physical health and safety is often a number one priority – but it’s so important that mental health is supported and properly prioritised too.
The Lighthouse Construction
Industry Helpline is a good place to start if you’re seeking support: https://www.lighthouseclub.org/construction-industry-helpline/
Band of Builders is another great place to turn if you’re in construction and need help: https://www.bandofbuilders.org/
Automotive industry support
For anyone in the automotive industry, we highly recommend reaching out to ben - the automotive charity if you need help. Having worked with them in the past, we know how far they go to support people in the industry. Find out more here: https://ben.org.uk/
Home improvement sector support
For those in the home improvement sector, the Rainy Day Trust is the only charity which exists solely to help people who have worked in the UK’s home improvement and enhancement industry. They can help in a range of ways, find out more on their website: https://www.rainydaytrust.org.uk/
And of course, the Mental Health Foundation has some excellent links to resources and help for everyone on its website too – take a look here: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/your-mental-health
