Published: 05 Oct 2022
It is time to prioritise! Next Monday (10 October), is World Mental Health Day. Mental Health and Wellbeing has always been very close to our hearts at TSA, so this national awareness day is a good opportunity to remind you all of how important it is to look after your own mental wellbeing, as well as that of your team.
With everything that is happening around us right now, it can be easy to feel powerless, but the focus of this year’s World Mental Health Day is reminding you, that regardless of what is happening in the wider world, there are still aspects of your life that you can manage and control.
For the last 30 years, ever since it was established in 1992, World Mental Health Day has provided an opportunity for education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma and discrimination that mental health sometimes receives. This year’s theme is, ‘what can you do to make mental health your Number 1 priority?’, and the World Health Organisation is encouraging everyone to embrace what is in your power to – start doing, stop doing or change – something that will support your mental health.
When thinking about how to look after yourself, a great place to start is visualising what’s in your ‘circle of control’. What aspects of your life can you make a priority? What brings meaning and comfort in your life? Are they within your control? You are sure to find something that is within your circle of control, that can bring about a positive impact on your mental health.
Rachel Tyrrell, Secretary General of TSA explains: “The statistics around mental health are frightening. This is particularly true within the construction sector. According to research carried out by Mates in Mind and the Institute for Employment Studies (IES), earlier this year, it is estimated that two people working in construction die by suicide every day. That is over 700 every year. This figure is unacceptable and the more we can do to encourage people to take their mental health seriously and seek support, if necessary, is vital.
“Personally, I have a number of short, medium and long term disciplines which help to protect my own mental health, in what is a responsible and demanding position. Starting with the basics, I prioritise a healthy diet and a variety of exercise pretty much every day, and moving to more work-related tools, I also meet with a business coach every quarter, which is always so refreshing. Some holidays have been smart-phone free zones, which is a real detox for the brain, as well as a step away from the bad habits that have built up in terms of emotional responses to the deluge of information we continually drown ourselves with. When people ask what plans we have for the weekend, we shouldn’t be embarrassed to say from time to time, ‘absolutely none!’”
We would love to know what steps you are taking to support your own mental health and the mental health of your team. Please share any exciting initiatives with us, so we can support and promote them where appropriate. Contact TSA at office@tsa-uk.org.uk.
