RMT Members and Mental Health - Mental Health Week 10-16 May 2021

Head Office Circular NP/147/21

Our Ref: HSR/1/9

10^thMay 2021

The Secretary

ALL BRANCHES

ALL REGIONAL COUNCILS

Dear Colleague

RMT MEMBERS AND MENTAL HEALTH – MENTAL HEALTH WEEK 10-16 MAY

I write further to Head Office Circular, Reference Number HSR/1/9 of 8^th April, “RMT Members and Mental Health” and the subsequent Head Office Circular of 12^th April, “Mental Health Awareness Week”.

Mental Health Awareness Week, which is this week - 10^th to 16^th May, is particularly important this year as recent research has shown that mental health cases across the UK are on the increase. Many of these are directly linked to the Covid-19 pandemic and other issues associated with it, such as employment security, redundancy, home working etc resulting in poor mental health affecting RMT members both at home and at work.

As part of the work RMT are doing in connection with Mental Health Awareness Week I am re-circulating the RMT document “ Campaigning for Mental Health and Wellbeing at Work”. This pamphlet can be accessed online at: http://bit.ly/38lbDsD . This short pamphlet is intended to improve conditions for mental wellbeing in the workplace.

In addition to this pamphlet, I write with the contact details of the following organisations, who are a source for further information:

Mind

The charity Mind provides advice and support on mental health issues. It campaigns to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding about mental health.

Email: contact@mind.org.uk

Tel: 020 8519 2122

https://www.mind.org.uk/

Samaritans

Offering emotional support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Tel: 08457 909090

Mental Health Foundation

A charity that engages in research, campaigning and training programmes on mental health and

learning disabilities.

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/

Time to Change

An anti-stigma campaign run by mental health charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness.