Mental Health: Measuring the effectiveness of interventions

In May 2018 as part of mental health awareness week we undertook a cross sectional survey amongst staff and supply chain operatives using a self-completing questionnaire to explore the effectiveness of our approach, and interventions, events, campaigns and training around mental health offered to date.

Our work is intended to eliminate stigma and discrimination through positive action, understanding and behaviours by equipping our entire workforce and supply-chain with the skills knowledge and awareness required to normalise mental health and achieve a parity of understanding with physical health.

We intend to drive up the expected industry standard so that individuals who experience mental ill health can remain in work, enabling us to sustain and attract a diverse workforce into our industry required for our future.

The results indicated that our approach considered by 97% was good to excellent. Over 80% stated an increased awareness of mental health, confidence in spotting signs and symptoms, and in feeling more able to ‘chat’ on the topic. Our approach is peer lead and continual development will focus on promoting peer to peer knowledge, sharing of experiences and support.

Reducing stigma and discrimination starts with understanding and having confidence of the subject, these early results suggest our approach is having the desired effect and will assist us to achieve our strategic objective.