Council marks World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day is celebrated every year on October 10, and the theme for 2024 is workplace mental health.

The theme, as set by the World Federation of Mental Health, highlights the importance of addressing mental health and wellbeing at work, for the benefit of people, organisations and communities.

All Hull City Council employers have access to wellbeing support, which recognises that everyone has mental health just as they have physical health.

Director of Public Health and Hull City Council Deputy Chief Executive, Julia Weldon, said: “We all have good days and bad days, and sometimes we find it more difficult than others to cope with different levels of pressure.

“That’s why it’s important that we have a range of things available to help people.”

Employee development activities relating to the management of stress are offered by Hull City Council’s Learning and Development team.

In addition, a good number of Hull City Council staff are trained as Mental Health First Aiders®, who provide a point of contact to anyone experiencing a mental health issue or emotional distress.

The help offered to staff complements the wider, public strategy A Mentally Healthy Hull, which aims to bring the city together in collectively boosting good mental health, and where people feel more comfortable to talk about their mental health and wellbeing.

Julia Weldon said: “We are focussing on good mental health for our city, and for our staff.

“The Council is one of the biggest employers in Hull, so it’s important that we try to create a mentally healthy approach that gives the support to people when they need it.

“All of us – whether officers, managers, heads of service, directors, or whoever – can play a part in this.

“If we can achieve good mental health outcomes within the Council, it can benefit the work we do for our residents.”

To find out more about the wellbeing support offered by Hull City Council, and about working for the Council in general, visit Hull City Council recruitment – Working for Hull City Council.