Recognising that it is more timely than ever to acknowledge that mental health and wellbeing issues can be experienced by individuals at all levels within an organisation, the Mineral Products Association (MPA) has published new resources to support managers and employees to recognise and manage health and wellbeing 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. MPA and its members are committed to improving the health and wellbeing of all employees and it has partnered with ‘Mates in Mind’ (matesinmind.org) to help raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing issues within the industry. Whilst excellent progress has been made and many member companies now have mental health policies in place, MPA has received requests from several members about what support is available in this area. The guides have been developed to help address this requirement.

The Employees guide

• Lists some simple coping strategies for individuals to help minimise mental health and wellbeing issues.

• Helps individuals recognise possible symptoms of mental health issues.

• Encourages them to seek support.

The Managers guide

• Provides background on mental health and wellbeing issues.

• Lists some simple coping strategies for individuals to help minimise mental health and wellbeing issues.

• Provides a list of possible changes in behaviour which 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 organisations providing support.

MPA Chief Executive Nigel Jackson 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.

The two Guides can be accessed free of charge by clicking via the Safequarry website at www.safequarry.com/home/about-the-hub/mpa-supporting-mental-health.aspx.

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 far greater awareness, dialogue, and engagement now. In these very difficult times, we hope that these resources may prove of use to the industry and beyond.’

Please contact Tony Entwistle, MPA’s Health & Safety manager for more information about the support MPA provides to members on mental health and wellbeing issues tony.entwistle@mineralproducts.org.

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