To all our CWU members, we hope you’re all doing well,

This is a little read on what to do if you or someone you know is suffering with mental health within the workplace, whether it be stress, anxiety, depression or any other condition.

Firstly, I’d like to inform you all as our members that the CWU had moved a motion at our last general conference for the training of all union reps to take on mental health first aid training. This is so that as branch reps of the CWU, we can best support our members when it comes to these issues and to point them in the right direction.

Secondly I wanted to briefly remind you all that as employees of Openreach, we are entitled to 6 free sessions of therapy through the employee assistance programme. I can testify first hand that these sessions were hugely helpful when it came to my own mental health and I encourage you all to reach out if you’re going through something. Speaking to someone is very helpful, however, speaking to a professional who understands how to listen and knows which sort of questions to ask is 10 folds more impactful.

Lastly, I wanted to end it off on a few pointers,

• Please find someone you trust and speak with them, just talking about it with someone can open up perspective, lighten the shoulders and relieve tension.
• Do something that you truly enjoy, whether it’s spending quality time with friends and family, going out on evening walks, or staying in and having a movie night, giving ourselves that quality time can significantly improve our mood and lift off any tension.
• Give the free therapy sessions a go, you have nothing to lose, you’re entitled to it when you need it and you’ll have the ability to sit in person with someone who’s trained on these matters. And if you feel you need more, you can speak with your line manager who may be able to get you some more sessions.

I hope this article was helpful. If you know of someone in your workplace who is suffering with mental health, please pass this information onto them.

Abdul Khiyum,

Young workers rep for the Great Western Branch.