College supports national mental health campaign

Gower College Swansea – which has recently achieved the Bronze Award, Corporate Health Standards - has now signed the Employer Pledge to tackle discrimination facing people with mental health conditions in the workplace.

The Employer Pledge is a key part of the Time to Change national campaign, a growing social movement working to change the way we all think and act about mental health problems. 

The statistics around mental health are startling. One in four British workers is affected by conditions such as anxiety, depression and stress every year. Mental ill-health is also the leading cause of sickness absence in the UK.

“It’s really astonishing that a quarter of any given workforce could be affected by mental health issues so we feel, as an organisation with almost 1000 employees, that we need to take a proactive approach to raising awareness and removing any stigma that might still be attached,” says Director of HR, Sarah King.

“Over the past year, we have been taking steps to incorporate more staff-centred initiatives into the working day. We held a special health and wellbeing event in the summer where they could enjoy walks, take a Pilates class or have a pamper session. We’ve also launched a staff choir, developed lots of different exercise classes and taken part in national campaigns like Get GB Standing which encouraged everyone to have a bit of fun and keep active.

“It’s important to reinforce to staff that they have our support if and when they need it so we are delighted to be able to support Time to Change by signing the Employer Pledge.”