MPA publishes new mental health resources

New resources to help managers and employees recognize and manage mental health and well-being issues

RECOGNIZING that it is timelier than ever to acknowledge that mental health and well-being issues can be experienced by individuals at all levels within an organization, the Mineral Products Association (MPA) has published new resources to help managers and employees recognize and manage such issues.

The impact of COVID-19 combined with uncertainty about the future has led to more individuals experiencing high levels of anxiety and the potential for mental health issues to develop.

The MPA and its members are committed to improving the health and well-being of all employees and the Association has partnered with ‘Mates in Mind’ (matesinmind.org) to help raise awareness of mental health and well-being issues within the industry.

Whilst excellent progress has been made and many member companies now have mental health policies in place, the MPA has received requests from several members about what support is available in this area. The following guides have been developed to help address this requirement.

Employees

• Lists some simple coping strategies for individuals to help minimize mental health and well-being issues
• Helps individuals recognize possible symptoms of mental health issues
• Encourages them to seek support.

Managers

• Provides background on mental health and well-being issues
• Lists some simple coping strategies for individuals to help minimize mental health and well-being issues
• Provides a list of possible changes in behaviour that can be symptoms of mental health issues for managers to look out for
• Signposts resources for managers that can help them in providing support to their colleagues
• Outlines training courses available on mental health issues
• Signposts organizations providing support.

The two guides can be accessed free of charge by clicking here.

Nigel Jackson, chief executive of the MPA, said: ‘In the same way as we must all aim to protect each other from the risk of contracting COVID, we must look out for each other when it comes to mental health and general well-being.

‘Whilst we hope that COVID will eventually be brought under control, mental health issues have been with us continuously and will be well into the future. Thankfully, there is now far greater awareness, dialogue and engagement. In these very difficult times, we hope that these resources may prove of use to the industry and beyond.’

For more information about the support the MPA provides to members on mental health and well-being issues, contact MPA health and safety manager Tony Entwistle at: [email protected]