World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day, which takes place on 10 October, is an international day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy. Its aim is to break through the social stigma associated with discussing your mental health with others. This year’s theme for World Mental Health Day is ‘Workplace Mental Health’. 

One of the most pressing issues affecting modern workplaces is burnout. In the modern fast-paced world, more and more employees are experiencing chronic stress that leads to burnout. Burnout is gradual and can take hold before you’re truly aware of it. It doesn’t just affect individual wellbeing; it has far-reaching consequences for organisations too. Recognising the signs of burnout in yourself and others is key to fostering a healthier, more resilient workplace where mental wellbeing is a priority. 

Burnout symptoms can be physical, emotional, and behavioural. Symptoms can include appearing withdrawn or detached, persistent fatigue with no known cause, unable to meet demands, feeling overloaded and unable to cope, feeling defeated and negative thoughts and looking after your own health and wellbeing. 

Mental Health UK’s PAUSE strategy offers practical self-care steps to help prevent and overcome burnout. It may also help to talk to someone you trust for support. 

• Pause - take time out from the situation. Stepping away from stressors will help create a much-needed break and space to consider your next steps. 
• Assess your feelings and thoughts by reflecting – acknowledge assumptions and look at factors contributing to burnout from different perspectives. 
• Unwind by doing something you feel is restorative and relaxing, which will help you to regain balance, mindfulness and resilience. 
• Solutions – explore the options available to you within the situation and proactively change, challenge, or control aspects within your power. 
• Evaluate how effective your solutions have been, what has improved and what needs to be change further to avoid burnout in future? 

Help and support is available through providers and online resources, as well as within the college: 

• The SERC Mental Health First Aiders will assist and support staff members until appropriate professional treatment is received or until the crises resolves. To access information on Mental Health First Aiders, click here. 
• In SERC Downpatrick and Lisburn campuses, you can avail of the Quiet Rooms should you need time alone and some space to yourself. Keys can be collected from the reception areas to access the rooms. 
• Inspire Wellbeing offer 24/7, 365 days a year counselling service and can be contacted on 0808 800 0002. They also offer a support hub with information and guidance for staff - to access the hub, click here and use the company pin SERCSTAFF. 
• Logging and tracking certain events can help you identify patterns and triggers that affect your emotion and behaviour, try out the assessments on the Inspire Wellbeing Hub and use the company pin SERCSTAFF. Inspire have also recorded a new detailed and informative session to outline the counselling services and support provided - to access, click here. 

Upcoming Events in October to Support Your Mental Health and Wellbeing: 

• Stress Management Society is holding a 1-hour webinar on Wednesday 9 October 2024 from 12pm - 1pm via MS teams. They will explore the critical importance of mental wellbeing in the workplace. While you may focus on your personal mental health, ensuring that remains a priority in your professional life is equally essential. To register for the event, click here. 
• On World Mental Health Day in the SERC Ards and Bangor Campuses, tea/coffee and health and wellbeing services will be available.  To find out more about the range of providers attending, click here. Ards Campus event will be in the staff room beside reception from 9.30am - 10.30am.   Bangor Campus event will be in the staff lounge (B1) from 11.15am - 12.30pm.  
• Action Mental Health is offering a ‘mindset programme’ via MS Teams to help increase your knowledge and understanding of mental and emotional health with the promotion of self-help resilience techniques. The event will take place on Tuesday 15 October 2024 from 10.30am - 1.30pm (with scheduled breaks). To register and to receive the joining link email mindyourself@serc.ac.uk 

To find out more about the support services offered by the college and how staff look after their mental health, click here.