As the first month of 2024 draws to a close, 27th January 2024 should be one final date to mark in everybody’s calendar! Parent Mental Health Day is celebrated on this date to encourage conversations and connections about the mental health of parents across the UK.
Stem4 (a UK charity that aim to support the mental health of teens and young people) founded this day in the UK in 2022, with this year’s theme being set as ‘creating positive relationships’.
Now, nobody may understand the stresses of family life more than a parent. Often a working parent will be juggling family responsibilities alongside the responsibilities they have at work. While some may be better multi-taskers than others, no working parent is immune to the undoubted stress that comes along with the aforementioned ‘juggling act’ and any knock-on effects of this.
The crux of Parent Mental Health day is to remind us that parents struggle too. Contrary to what we have been led to believe, parents do not have at all figured out! In prioritising their child(ren)’s mental health over their own, a parent’s mental health is often forgotten or put to one side. However, in order for parents to be able to form and nurture positive relationships within their own life and in the workplace, they need to be able to be in the right headspace to do so. Therefore, it is important to check in with the parents in your workforce to see how they are feeling and if there is anything that can be feasibly considered in the workplace to assist them. Your employees do not have to be a parent to celebrate this day either – colleagues can ‘lend an ear’ over a lunchtime tea or coffee. You may find that a simple ‘how are you?’ may go a long way.
Here are some options for you to consider in ‘creating positive relationships’ among all of your employees (not just the parents):
- Have an ‘open door’ policy – encourage and nurture communications between employees across all levels of your business to expand and encourage the discussions on mental health;
- Consider flexible working practices e.g. hybrid working, flexi-time – employee work-life balance is a crucial factor in employee recruitment, retention and morale (particularly for those who have childcare responsibilities);
- Encourage employees to take their allotted breaks and annual leave – well-rested employees may be more productive upon their return to the workplace and may be less likely to feel ‘burnt out’;
- Offer support and training opportunities – a positive attitude and approach towards mental health may contribute to a better understanding of mental health across the workforce (particularly if there are opportunities to have e.g. mental first aiders within the workplace);
- Encourage employees to make use of any available Employee Assistance Programs – encouraging employees to take care of their own mental health;
- Show your commitment to mental health via a company-wide policy – consulting and communicating with employees to implement a policy designed to protect mental health may help the managers within your workforce to navigate the trickiness of mental health amongst their staff and instil them with confidence to deal with the situations that may arise.
For those who may be interested, Stem4 are running a free webinar on ‘creating positive relationships’ on 25th January 2024 at 7pm.
We understand that employee mental health is a sensitive issue that requires a caring and empathetic approach. That is why we are committed to promoting positive mental health and wellbeing in the workplace at Miller Samuel Hill Brown. We are dedicated to creating an inclusive and supportive work environment where every member of our team feels valued and supported.
We are proud to have our Employment Solicitor, Ruth Medlock, as our Mental Health First Aider. Ruth has completed the Scottish Mental Health First Aid Training offered by the Law Society of Scotland, and she is equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to provide the support and guidance our colleagues need.
Addressing mental health in the workplace can be challenging, but we are here to help you navigate this journey. Our Employment Law specialists are ready to provide you with personalised advice and support on how to address and manage the issue. We are committed to working closely with you to understand your unique situation and offer tailored solutions that can make a real difference.
We invite you to reach out to us today for assistance on 0141 221 1919 We are here to listen, support, and guide you every step of the way.
