Standard 5: Providing mental health tools and support
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 5 states that organisations should provide mental health tools and support.
Parts of the standard
- Raise awareness of the resources and tools available
- Ensure provision of tailored in-house mental health support and signposting to clinical help, including but not limited to digital support, occupational health, employee assistance programmes, the NHS
- Provide targeted support around key contributors of poor mental health, for example financial wellbeing
Standard 5 toolkit
One of the easiest ways to support employees is to make sure people are aware of the help, tools and services available to them. It’s not just about signposting – it’s important to actively promote the use of wellbeing tools, mental health support and local and national services, so you’re creating a culture in which these things are OK to talk about.
Buying wellbeing products and services wisely
This guide from the Society of Occupational Medicine aims to provide those responsible for purchasing wellbeing products or services, with evidence-based frameworks to make informed and effective decisions and make sure there are no unintended consequences for your workers.
Guidance and support for people managers
These resources from Bupa are designed to help empower you, so you can provide the best support for your team. Topics include supporting staff to open up, supporting employees with their children's mental health and talking about suicide.
Guides to wellness action plans
Wellness action plans are an easy way to help support your own mental health at work and that of your team members. Mind has guidance and templates to get you started, for both employees and line managers.
Financial wellbeing toolkit
We know money worries can have a huge impact on your mental health – financial stress can lead to sleepless nights, anxiety, and an inability to fully focus on your work. This toolkit includes resources that make it okay to talk about money, help you understand what your employees’ priorities are, and signpost employees to advice on debt, mental health and financial wellbeing.
Every Mind Matters hub
Every Mind Matters is a national mental health platform from Public Health England. This hub is full of practical tips and resources to help you look after your mental health, including videos, online tools and links to help services.
Implementing Mental Health First Aiders: a guide for employers
The only effective, sustainable approach to employee wellbeing involves the whole organisation. This guide explains how to recruit, train, and assess your Mental Health First Aiders.
Occupational health: the value proposition
In order to gain senior-level buy in, it can be essential for you to provide a business case for a new workplace strategy. This PDF guide, created by the Society of Occupational Medicine, carefully lays out the benefits of occupational health services at work. It covers the legal implications through to the potential business benefits.
Employee assistance programme standards framework
Employee assistance programmes (EAPs) can be a valuable part of how an organisation promotes its employees' wellbeing. This guide, for those delivering EAPs or considering commissioning one, outlines the services and standards they can cover.
The cost-of-living crisis in the UK: a whole society response to protect people’s mental health
This PDF from MQ explores the impact the cost-of-living crisis is having, and provides key recommendations to employers to help them support staff who may be experiencing the biggest impact.