Mental health matters, and positive mental health is something that everyone deserves.

We supported this year's Mental Health Awareness Week, putting together a series of activities for our staff. The week was focussed around movement, and this is often something which is overlooked. With work, family, friends, social activities, responsibilities, and other commitments taking up large portions of time in our daily lives, making time for movement can be difficult.

Exercise is a key factor in relieving stress, aiding sleep, and triggering mood-boosting neurotransmitters. Yet research by the Mental Health Foundation shows that more than a third of UK adults find it challenging to find the time for movement. We have been working towards making exercise more attainable for our staff, opening a free gym at our National Distribution Centre, providing a free health and nutrition course for staff, and offering a weekly free gym class with a professional personal trainer.

During Mental Health Awareness Week we have ensured that our gym is available for use until 7pm every day, offered staff the opportunity to take a group or individual 3 mile walk during their normal working hours when in the office, offered pilates classes during normal working hours, held our weekly free gym class on Tuesday evening, and given staff the option to bring their dog to work to boost morale. Providing support to our staff is an ongoing process, and we hope that our staff feel confident that we take mental health seriously.
 

Useful Contacts:

Anxiety UK: 03444 775 774 (Helpline)                                                    
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM): 0800 58 58 58
Papyrus (HOPELINE247): 0800 068 41 41           
Samaritans: 116 123   
YoungMinds (Parents Helpline): 0808 802 5544