World Mental Health Day is 10th October

World Mental Health Day is an opportunity for all of us to raise awareness of mental health issues and advocate against social stigma.

The theme of this year’s event is suicide and suicide prevention.

Every year close to 800,000 people globally take their own life and there are many more people who attempt suicide. Every suicide is a tragedy that affects families, communities and has long-lasting effects on the people left behind. It’s the leading cause of death among young people aged 20-34 years in the UK.

SAIF is pleased to work closely with Support After Suicide Partnership who provide a range of resources for people bereaved by suicide including a brochure entitled “Help is at Hand.”

The Time To Change Organisation is encouraging us all to consider how we can create learning opportunities for our staff, raise their overall level of understanding of mental health, and specifically address the stigma around suicide so as to support those who might most need help.

They are offering a World Mental Health Day Activity Pack to help companies deliver resources to help address mental health stigma. They are also encouraging businesses to sign up to the Employee Pledge which provides a 12 month action plan which supports organisations to put in place best-practice interventions and policy to help staff work in ways that promote a positive mental wellbeing.

Organisations who take the Pledge and put their Action Plan in place have found that employees report feeling more supported about issues concerning mental health, are more willing to disclose their personal life experience, and are more confident about making managers and colleagues aware of their experience.