Partner Article

Bosses urged to think about mental health

Bosses in the North East public sector are being encouraged to support workers with mental health problems. An event this week aims to celebrate those organisations which have already signed up to the Mindful Employer charter.

The event, being held this morning at the Assembly Rooms in Newcastle, is being organised by Neil Johnson, mental health lead at Public Health North East and the regional Community Services Improvement Partnership.

He said: “A key objective of the charter is to challenge the stigma attached to mental health. Mindful Employer aims to increase awareness of mental ill health and provides information and support for employers in the recruitment and retention of staff.

“It provides information, support, advice and practical support for people whose mental health affects their ability to find or retain employment, training, education or voluntary work. With the right support in place, people with mental health issues can and do stay in work and employers can continue with their business.”

Organisations already signed up include the Association of North East Councils, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Mental Health NHS Trust and Middlesbrough Council.

Liz Latham, director of human resources at Northumberland, Tyne & Wear NHS Trust said: “We are a specialist mental health and learning disabilities trust where health promotion is key to what we do. In addition to the services we provide to the community we are also one of the largest employers in the North East and fully understand the challenges that people suffering from an illness/disability face on a daily basis.

“Being a Mindful Employer allows us to continue to challenge the stigma that is attached to people with mental health problems and stop discrimination within the workplace.”

For further information contact Neil Johnson at [neil.johnson @dh.gsi.gov.uk](mailto:neil.johnson @dh.gsi.gov.uk).

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .