This week marks Mental Health Week with the theme of the week being “Loneliness”. As the week draws to a conclusion, we wanted to highlight that many of us do suffer from loneliness and other mental health issues and we should make a concerted effort to reach out to friends, family and each other to help where help is needed.
Sometimes simply saying hello, being nice and showing an element of kindness can have a hugely positive impact on someone’s day.
The Mental Health Foundation along with other organisations continue to raise awareness emphasising how important a good and happy working environment is to all – how continued support and engagement with staff and members and encouraging enjoyment in the workplace plays such an essential role in life.
To hit home this point we have trawled through the archives to identify our top happy, good news stories to hopefully bring some joy and smile to everyone’s face.
- 100-year celebration of Ivy Williams, the first women to be called to the Bar
- 18 St John Street goes Quackers for charity
- Celebrating Women in Law
- International Dog Day
- The #Women in Law at 18 St John Street.
- Wellbeing and the Legal Profession
18 St John Street has for many years worked hard to ensure the members and staff receive all the support they need in respect of mental health and wellbeing. We have access to a wide range of support through Health Assured, a leading provider of wellbeing services. We remain committed to providing support and practical assistance where needed to protect the mental health and wellbeing of our barristers, pupils, staff and clients.
he Bar Council has created a bespoke Wellbeing at the Bar website to promote the seriousness issues the Bar faces and offer an excellent support service. Rebecca Dix, Deputy General Counsel at the Serious Fraud Office and Chair of the Wellbeing at the Bar Working Group raises excellent points in her recent article here.
As Mental Health Week draws to a close, we thought now is the opportune time to remind followers, clients and contacts of the channels available for anyone who needs support throughout the year, night and day.
For twitter followers #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek provides a source of links and information.
Mind – When you’re experiencing a mental health problem, supportive and reliable information can change your life. That’s what Mind do. They empower people to understand their condition and the choices available to them through their:
Infoline which offers callers confidential help for the price of a local call.
Legal Line which provides information on mental health related law to the public, service users, family members/carers, mental health professionals and mental health advocates.
Award-winning publications and website.
CALM The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) are leading a movement against suicide, the single biggest killer of men under the age of 45 in the UK. They provide help and support through:
Frontline services – Anyone can hit crisis point. CALM run a free and confidential helpline and webchat – 7 hours a day, 7 days a week for anyone who needs to talk about life’s problems. They support those bereaved by suicide, through the Support After Suicide Partnership (SASP).
Communities - CALM spread their message and facilitate supportive spaces in workplaces, universities, pubs, clubs and prisons across the country.
Campaigns – CALM challenge boring male stereotypes and encourage positive behavioural change and help-seeking behaviour, using cultural touch points like art, music, sport and comedy.
Samaritans Whether it’s an ‘are you ok?’ at just the right moment, or the midnight support of a trained volunteer, whether it’s better training in the workplace or campaigning for more investment in national and local suicide prevention – Samaritans are here. They can help you in the following ways:
Contact a Samaritan – Whether by phone, email, at a branch, or by mail, Samaritans are there to listen.
Support and information – Samaritans also provide help to those bereaved or if you’re worried about someone else.
Programmes - From schools to the workplace, to prison and the military, Samaritans can provide services and information. Where’s Your Head At?
Time to Change and the World Health Organisation all provide useful links to resources, such as practical guides for managing stress and tools for self-help and supporting others, including children during times of difficulty.
A final thought for Mental Health Week, “in a world where you can be anything be kind”.