We say YES to having mental health champions

Every year, 1 in 4 people in the UK will suffer a mental health crisis. The causes will differ from person to person, but one thing is clear: an episode of poor mental health can affect anybody at any time.

In the marketing industry, where we operate, two out of three professionals have considered leaving because of poor workplace wellbeing.

Despite how widespread the issue is, there has been significant stigma historically associated with mental health issues. What this means in practice is that employees may feel reluctant to tell their employers if they are struggling for fear of negative consequences. So, something really needs to change…

Our mental health champions and their mission

At Proctors, we want to create a workplace where it feels as easy and as safe as possible for our staff to ask for the help they need. Over time, the goal is to create a culture where speaking up is no longer feared but seen as a sign of strength.

We know that early conversations matter; talking to somebody before a problem feels unmanageable can make a meaningful difference. To that end, we have a team of trained volunteer mental health champions, from teams across the business, who are available to talk to at any time during work hours.

They offer a safe, approachable first step for colleagues who might otherwise feel worried about coming forward.

As well as offering a compassionate ear, interceding to help problem solve or manage workloads, they can also signpost people to any appropriate professional help that might be needed.

Knowing someone is there to listen can reduce feelings of isolation at work and help normalise open, everyday conversations about mental health. We take that seriously.

The business case for supporting staff wellbeing

Investing in mental health champions isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s also good for business. The pressure to perform at work can be punishing but being proactive about providing support can help prevent stress from escalating into burnout, reduce absenteeism and avoid your productivity being affected.

It also helps foster employee loyalty as people are more likely to stay at companies who show they care about their staff. If you’re improving retention, then you’re also avoiding the costs and disruption associated with staff turnover. Open conversation can also strengthen trust and communication across your teams, meaning your workforce feels more engaged and inspired to perform.

I jumped at the chance to be a Proctors mental health champion… We spend so much of our lives at work, yet it can feel like the one place where nothing is allowed to slide. The reality is that we’ve all had times where we’ve struggled to cope and a bit of extra support and understanding can make all the difference.

Francesca Milton, Copywriter and volunteer mental health champion