We’re thrilled that Titan Corporate Benefits won Best Mental Health Advice Firm at the UK Health & Protection Awards 2024[1].
The award recognises the importance of mental health advice in the workplace. And, considering that poor mental health is the fifth most common reason for sickness absence in the UK, this is a great achievement[2].
The award highlights the important work we do to support businesses and their employees where it matters most.
Employee mental health issues coincide with an increase in income protection claims
In recent years more clients have asked for advice on how to deal with employee mental health issues. There’s also been a rise in income protection scheme claims, directly related to mental health.
At Titan Corporate Benefits, we work hard to ensure that we’re ready and able to provide you with targeted help and support. With deep understanding and knowledge of mental health issues, we’ve built up a toolkit of essential information to help you assist and advise your employees.
A snapshot of positive, practical ways to keep your employees healthy and happy
- Appoint a Mental Health First Aider
Having a designated mental health first aider (MHFA) in your business can help you to identify causes for mental health problems at work. They can also suggest and instigate appropriate steps that could reduce potential risks.
Their training will help them detect symptoms of mental health in your staff, meaning they can quickly help coworkers find the right support.
Addressing mental health issues in the workplace early with the help of a dedicated MHFA could save potential costs of absenteeism and presenteeism, easily outweighing the cost of training for someone to help prevent problems from escalating.
If you have a small team, we have an MFHA who is available to give you immediate advice and support. Where appropriate, they will also be happy to meet and talk to any vulnerable staff members about workplace adjustments that may help.
- Ask employees to write a “Wellness Recovery Action Plan”
A Wellness Recovery Action Plan details how workers wish to be treated if they become unwell, and statements should include:
- Signs that might alert colleagues to the fact that they are becoming unwell
- The sort of support that may prove most helpful or unhelpful
- Who to contact – maybe a relative or GP
- Practical arrangements
- Treatment preferences.
Anyone can become mentally unwell at any time, which is why asking all members of staff to prepare an advanced statement could prove beneficial. The exercise of preparing a statement also encourages people to think about their own and others’ mental health.
- Understand and use the value-added services through your group risk insurance
Many group risk insurance products provide value-added services, including:
- Mental health support
- Financial wellbeing support
- Face-to-face counselling sessions
- HR and line manager training and support services
- Virtual GP and second medical opinion services.
To find out more, get in touch. We can explain what services are available in your current package or help you find alternative cover to better suit employees, and your business needs.
- Provide an Employee Assistance Programme
An employee assistance programme (EAP) can help support employees’ mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing, through a range of flexible services, including:
- Counselling and therapy sessions
- Work-life balance support
- Financial and legal advice.
By supporting your employees through periods of poor physical or mental health, you’ll be rewarded with a happier, healthier, more productive team.
- Promote healthy exercise through lunchtime clubs
Regular exercise has been proven to have a positive impact on mental ill health[3].
So, lunchtime clubs could be a great – and simple – way to keep your team active, healthy, and motivated.
Ideally, clubs should head outdoors to make the most of the fresh air – think walking, running, maybe even cycling. If you have space, you could introduce a weekly yoga class, or other appropriate instructed exercise class.
Get in touch
To discuss ways you could better support employees’ mental health and how we can help, please get in touch.
Email info.wp@titanwh.com or call us on 0800 048 0150.
Please note
The information contained in this article is based on the opinion of Titan Wealth Planning and does not constitute financial advice or a recommendation for any investment or retirement strategy.
[1] https://healthcareandprotection.com/the-uk-health-protection-awards-2024-winners/
[2] https://www.positive.news/society/world-mental-health-day-how-workplaces-can-support-mental-health/
[3] https://www.helpguide.org/wellness/fitness/the-mental-health-benefits-of-exercise
