It's Time to Change with THREE in 10

Time to Change guest blog about mental health in the workplace and why they fund campaigns like our THREE in 10 project. 

Mental health problems affect one in four of us in any given year. However, it is estimated that nearly three in every ten employees will experience a mental health problem in a year.

Despite this high figure, people with mental health problems still experience stigma and discrimination in many areas of their lives, including in the workplace, and this prevents employees from speaking out and seeking the support they need.

We know that discrimination in the workplace is a very real issue but many people don’t feel able to be open about their mental health problems in the first place, fearing the response they might receive from their managers and colleagues.

Time to Change also has various grant funded projects across England such as THREE in 10 who are working directly with employers to try and dispel myths around mental health.

We know that having a conversation with someone who has experience of a mental health problem and having the chance to ask questions, can be one of the most effective ways of breaking down stigma and challenge discrimination in the workplace.

Many more organisations are now starting to see mental health, wellbeing and tackling discrimination as an important part of their organisational culture. We’re hearing more positive stories from staff in some organisations who are now feeling more comfortable to have conversations and managers who are also more confident in dealing with this disclosure. In some companies we’re seeing senior leaders talk about their own mental health experience, which sets the tone for a more open culture throughout the organisation.

Time to Change, the mental health anti-stigma campaign run by charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, is working together with employers to create a working environment where people with mental health problems are supported and feel able to be open about it. One way employers can do this is to sign the Time to Change pledge. The pledge is a public statement of aspiration that an organisation wants to tackle mental health stigma and discrimination and can be carried out in various ways.

Please visit www.time-to-change.org.uk to find out how you can get involved.

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