{"id":17204,"date":"2019-02-07T09:01:27","date_gmt":"2019-02-07T09:01:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/unitelive.org\/?p=17204"},"modified":"2020-11-12T12:57:44","modified_gmt":"2020-11-12T12:57:44","slug":"unite-west-midlands-time-to-talk-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/?p=17204","title":{"rendered":"It’s time to talk"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The majority of people will suffer from mental ill health at one point or another in their lives \u00e2\u20ac\u201c but a protracted stigma has kept so many of us in the \u00e2\u20ac\u0098silent majority\u00e2\u20ac\u2122, unable to reach out for vital help.<\/p>\n

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Unite and other organisations are hoping to tackle this stifling silence, which doubles the pain and anguish of a mental health problem, on Time to Talk Day today (February 7), an initiative created by the campaign group Time to Change.<\/p>\n

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The idea behind Time to Talk Day is simple \u00e2\u20ac\u201c whether it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s having a chat with a friend who\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s stressed or hosting an event about mental health at your workplace, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s all about starting conversations that so often go completely unsaid. The aim is to break the silence and end the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental health.<\/p>\n

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Unite membership services administrator Nathan Darby, who is helping promote the initiative in the West Midlands region, said the issue is one that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s close to his heart after having struggled with anxiety himself.<\/p>\n

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\u00e2\u20ac\u015bMental ill health is so often exacerbated by feeling like you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have anyone to talk to,\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 Nathan told UniteLive. \u00e2\u20ac\u015bIn my experience it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s that constant worry of \u00e2\u20ac\u0098what should I do\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 you carry around in your head that makes things worse \u00e2\u20ac\u201c talking about it is a way of letting go and getting the help you need.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

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On Time to Talk Day, Nathan will join Lee Wiggets-Clinton, a Unite convenor for Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council as they go out and about in depots across the borough. They\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll talk to members about mental health and invite them to share their own stories.<\/p>\n

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\u00e2\u20ac\u015bThis initiative is vital from a trade union perspective because trade unions are in a prime position to have conversations about mental health,\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 Nathan explained. \u00e2\u20ac\u015bThis is not only because so many mental health problems are in fact caused by stress at work, but also because many workers can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t see their GP or a counsellor about their problems on a day-to-day basis. In this way, reps can play a vital role.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

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Time to Change pledge<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Lee agreed and highlighted how Unite in particular is taking a lead on mental health as he used the example of his own workplace at Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council where the union is making major strides forward.<\/p>\n

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\u00e2\u20ac\u015bIt all started when I noticed that in sickness meetings with members, time and time and again mental health was the biggest issue that was keeping people away from work,\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 he explained.<\/p>\n

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That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s when Lee approached the council leader and councillors about ways that they can take action. Lee and the Unite West Midlands 7015 branch lobbied for their employer to sign up to Time to Change\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Employer Pledge, which the Council agreed to \u00e2\u20ac\u201c the whole process took about two years.<\/p>\n

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Now, staff mental health is at the forefront of the Council\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s priorities, with all stewards receiving mental health awareness training and some going the extra mile to become mental health first aiders.<\/p>\n

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\u00e2\u20ac\u015bLike medical first aiders, mental health first aiders serve as a vital first port of call in emergencies,\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 Lee explained. \u00e2\u20ac\u015bJust as a medical first aider may help stem the bleeding if someone is cut until they can seek medical attention, so too does a mental health first aider act as the first person you might talk who can support you in taking that next step to get professional help.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

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As a result of Lee and his branch\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s efforts, not only have sickness days reduced but Unite membership has increased as well. In this way, mental health advocacy has become an important recruitment tool.<\/p>\n

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Special day<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

While Lee makes mental health a priority throughout the year \u00e2\u20ac\u201c \u00e2\u20ac\u015bWe work on it continuously to never stop and always be there for our members\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Time to Talk Day will be a special day, he said.<\/p>\n

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\u00e2\u20ac\u015bIn five different locations, we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll have stewards talking to workers \u00e2\u20ac\u201c from cleaners to IT managers and everyone in between \u00e2\u20ac\u201c about mental health. We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll not only give people more information about what we offer in terms of training and how we can help, but we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll have private space so people can come to us and tell us about their problems too, however big or small.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

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Lee told UniteLive that he was inspired to become such a passionate campaigner for mental health in part from the example of his sister, who is a mental health nurse in Australia.<\/p>\n

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\u00e2\u20ac\u015bI\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve seen the difference she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s made and it really made think \u00e2\u20ac\u201c she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s helped so many people in Australia; what can I do to help here? As with most people I have friends and family who have struggled with mental ill health. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve seen the pain and suffering that it causes. There\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s no quick fix either \u00e2\u20ac\u201c you can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t just stick a plaster on it.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

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Lee said that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s why it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s vital that trade unions take a lead on mental health the way Unite has done.<\/p>\n

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\u00e2\u20ac\u015bEmployers aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t going to always listen \u00e2\u20ac\u201c they aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t on the ground the way unions are and sometimes they just don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to take responsibility. Add to the mix, massive cuts to the NHS and mental health services, which means we all have to step up and play our part \u00e2\u20ac\u201c or no one else will.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

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Find out more about Time to Change and Time to Talk Day here<\/a>. Follow @UniteWestMids<\/a> today as Lee and Nathan go out and about in Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council talking to members about mental health and check out their video below:<\/p>\n

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On February 7th it’s “Time To Talk” day. We hope to help break the stigma of #mentalhealth<\/a> by having conversations. Remember mental health is unbiased and anyone can have it. pic.twitter.com\/WUg5zBYl1i<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u201d Unite West Midlands (@UniteWestMids) February 1, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n