Mental Health Awareness Week 2023: Insights and Resources at Sandicliffe

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Week, we at Sandicliffe are extending our support to individuals suffering from anxiety

Anxiety, a common emotion amongst us all, can sometimes escalate into a mental health issue. Various factors can trigger anxiety, such as academic stress, interpersonal relationships, starting a new job or losing one, and other significant life events. Financial concerns and difficulties in fulfilling basic needs, like food and heating, can also lead to anxiety.

Anxiety ranks amongst the most prevalent mental health challenges we encounter. The Mental Health Foundation recently conducted a survey on stress, anxiety, and despair related to personal finances which revealed that a quarter of adults felt their anxiety was so intense that it prevented them from pursuing their desired activities, either occasionally or consistently. Six out of ten adults experience this at least some of the time. However, there's a silver lining: anxiety can be managed more effectively with the right approach.

This year's Mental Health Awareness Week is dedicated to spotlighting anxiety. The goal is to augment public understanding and consciousness of anxiety by providing information that can help prevent it from becoming an issue.

Spot the signs

Changes in mood

Stress can sometimes cause reactions from individuals that are the opposite of how they usually act. They can either snap when they usually retreat or retreat from social interactions when they would usually voice their thoughts.

Absenteeism and timekeeping

You could notice that your employee suddenly takes sick days or longer lunch breaks on their own. You may also notice them arriving to work late or leaving early without a word.

Changes in productivity

When someone is stressed or is struggling with mental health issues, they may make more errors, miss deadlines and find it hard to concentrate.

Weight or appetite changes

Significant changes in someone’s weight (rapid weight gain or loss) or different eating habits (eating significantly less or more) can indicate a mental health issue.

Sleeplessness

If you notice a colleague looks tired or worn out on a regular basis, it could be a sign that they aren’t sleeping well, which could be caused by mental health issues.

Appearance and personal hygiene

You may notice changes in appearance and personal hygiene e.g. body odour, looking unkempt, not looking after themselves and wearing the same clothes for longer periods.

Tips to Cope with Anxiety

Manage anxiety by focusing on your breathing and engaging in physical activities, even gentle ones like yoga or walking. Keep a diary to acknowledge and understand your worries and challenge repetitive anxious thoughts. Seek help if financial concerns are causing stress and spend time in nature to feel calm and less stressed. Connect with others, express your feelings, and prioritise quality sleep. Avoid resorting to unhealthy food or drinks to cope with anxiety. Instead, maintain a balanced diet to regulate blood sugar and energy levels. Be mindful of your caffeine intake, especially close to bedtime, as it can affect your mood and sleep.

Combatting anxiety at Sandicliffe

Initiating a dialogue is the first basic step you can take. By opening up to your HR, colleagues, friends, and family, you can begin to mitigate the impacts of anxiety. At Sandicliffe, we also support the charitable endeavours of "Ben" and collaborate with "Time To Talk" to provide additional mental health resources for our staff. These initiatives include:

Support for Ben Charity

Ben partners directly with the automotive industry to help individuals navigate life's hurdles. They strive to assist those in our industry in making enduring, positive changes to their lives and mental health. Whether it's crisis support or a friendly conversation, "Ben" is committed to providing adaptable consultation and care for those in need.

If any member of our team is concerned about their physical or mental health, or overall wellbeing, Ben is ready to provide the necessary support. Their experts are dedicated to helping with issues like anxiety, depression, financial stress, sleep problems, or anything else that may arise. Through our collaboration with "Ben", we aim to make a positive impact this Mental Health Awareness Week.

Endorsing Time To Talk

No matter where you are in the UK, Time To Talk is there to assist with any issue you need to discuss. The initiative is run by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness in England, SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health) and See Me in Scotland, Inspire and Change Your Mind in Northern Ireland, and Time to Change in Wales.