Standard 4: Increasing confidence and capability
The Mental Health at Work Commitment is a set of actions, organised into 6 standards. Any organisation can follow these to improve and support the mental health of their people.
Standard 4 states that organisations should increase organisational confidence and capability.
Parts of the standard
- Increase mental health literacy of all staff and provide opportunities for staff to learn about how to manage their own mental health
- Ensure all staff are suitably prepared and educated to have effective conversations about mental health, and where to signpost for support, including in inductions for all new staff
- Train your line managers in spotting and supporting all aspects of mental health in the workplace, and include regular refresher training
- Support managers to think about employee mental health in all aspects of their role including during staff inductions, one-to-one meetings, team meetings and return-to-work meetings
Standard 4 toolkit
Having a workforce that feels confident in responding positively, when things around mental health at work arise, is vital. Regular training is one part of that jigsaw; information and awareness-raising is another. You also need to be putting mental health on the agenda during inductions, supervisions and return-to-work conversations. People at all levels of an organisation have a role to play, and employers should support them all.
Routinely: Recognise, Reach Out, Respond, Reflect
The law requires all employers to prevent work-related stress. In practical terms, that means doing a risk assessment at an organisational level and acting on it. Mind is a Working Minds campaign partner alongside the HSE who bring together a range of free training, practical tools to help employers, managers and workers.
People managers’ guide to mental health
For employees to stay well and in work, it's vital for them to be able to talk to managers about stress and mental health. This guide from CIPD in collaboration with Mind has practical advice, information and templates to support managers and employers to facilitate this.
Health Horizons: Pioneering the future workplace
Tailored for senior leaders, HR professionals and wellbeing benefit managers, this series of webcasts will help you gain unique insights into the transformative landscape of workplace health and wellbeing. Covering topics from men’s health in the workplace to family and fertility.
Talking toolkit: preventing work-related stress
Excessive pressure and demands at work can cause stress. HSE's Talking Toolkit helps you to have a series of conversations with workers to identify and help prevent work-related stress.
Approaching a sensitive conversation around mental ill health
Every conversation a manager has with a colleague who may be experiencing mental ill health will be different. This PDF guide from Acas has tips for managers to think about when approaching such a conversation.
Guide - Prevention, Intervention, and support for people affected by suicide
BS 30480 Suicide and the workplace guide - free to download from The British Standards Institution - is a global first standard helping organisations take effective action on suicide awareness, education, intervention and support after suicide. A guide for smaller organisations is also available.
How to take stock of mental health in your workplace
This resource for line managers and HR professionals provides practical advice on how to collect vital information about your employees’ wellbeing. A version of this guide is also available in Welsh.
Bitesize learning for leaders
Alongside a team of experts, the NHS has developed a series of short courses to help support you build on your skills to improve your experience of work. Topics include: resilience, motivation, and authentic leadership. Designed for health and care staff but learning is applicable across workplace settings. (You'll need to create an account).
Mind e-Learning
Our products are developed by experts at Mind to help you build a healthy and supportive work environment. Whether you’re looking to provide extra support for remote teams, upskill your line managers, or create a more inclusive workplace, we’re here to help.
See Me in Work e-Learning portal
See Me have developed this free, easy to use e-learning, suitable for managers and staff, as part of their See Me in Work programme.
Training from local Minds
Looking to boost mental health in your workplace? Find a training option that works for you. Delivered by local Minds across the country, courses include: Mental health awareness, Managing mental health at work, Mental health and how to support someone, Customer support and mental health.