Members' Mental Health

Our ref: HSR

Head Office Circular: NP/154/24

24th June 2024

To: The Secretary

ALL BRANCHES

REGIONAL COUNCILS

 

Dear Colleague

 

MEMBERS’ MENTAL HEALTH

 

Following the recent tragic death of RMT member Anthony Dodd, a Network Rail L2 Safety Rep based in Bletchley, I have been asked to recirculate resources for members regarding mental health issues. This circular is being issued with the endorsement of Anthony’s family.

 

The National Suicide Prevention Alliance is an alliance of over 1000 public, private, voluntary and community organisations in England that care about suicide prevention and are willing to take action to reduce suicide and support those affected by suicide. 

 

RMT has signed the Railway Mental Health Charter. Aligned with good practice and developed to respond to industry needs, the charter provides targeted actions and resources for improving mental health in your company.  

 

Useful resources in relation to mental health and workplace mental health and stress issues: 

 

  • Employers should take mental health problems as seriously and with the same care as a physical illness. In relation to employers duties see ACAS guidance: Reasonable Adjustments for Mental Health.  (Note: for personal referrals, different networks have different Employment Assistance Programme providers)

 

  • Although RMT cannot offer medical help or counselling, we can help sort out problems connected with work that can trigger members’ stress, anxiety, and depression. For more information on this please see this RMT advice: Mental health – a trade union issue

 

  • The Mental Health section of RMT’s website can be viewed in full here

 

  • An online learning tool designed by the Health and Safety Executive to prevent work-related stress called the Working Minds Campaign can be viewed here. It is based on the five same principles of risk assessment, and the steps are “Make it Routine, Reach Out, Recognise, Respond and Reflect”.

 

Please bring the contents of this circular to the attention of relevant members. 

 

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

 

Michael Lynch

General Secretary