A new action plan will be developed with the six organisations that comprise North Lanarkshire Partnership Strategic Leadership Board – North Lanarkshire Council, NHS Lanarkshire, Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire and Scottish Enterprise – led by senior management to ensure cultural change takes place from the very top.

Up to 40% of employees feel they can’t talk about their mental health to their employers. With COVID-19 hitting our psychological wellbeing hard, it has become a real issue in the workplace, as well as in communities.

Tackling the stigma surrounding mental illness and encouraging employees to speak up about their problems is an area where leaders can really help to radically change workplace culture and attitudes among staff on the ground in their own organisations. 

Around three quarters of public sector staff live within North Lanarkshire, so generating change in the workplace will also help our communities to be responsive to the mental health needs of others. 

Creating informal support networks such as peer support programmes, helplines and online/telephone support - listening to people and acknowledging their struggles will help stimulate real, cultural change. 

Chief Superintendent Alan Waddell, Police Scotland and Chair of the North Lanarkshire Partnership Strategic Leadership Board, said, “Every single person has mental health, in the same way that we all have physical health and we can all experience problems with both. But there’s much that we all need to do to bring about a cultural change in how we talk about and consider mental health, so that we listen to people without judgment, normalise conversations about mental health, create safe spaces for colleagues and provide meaningful information and resources for staff. 

“It all starts with greater acceptance and understanding by everyone. That starts at the top, so we can really dispel the myths and do away with the tags that are applied to mental health and wellbeing.”

Audrey Bremner from Stigma Free Lanarkshire, said, “We are incredibly excited about this Campaign and believe we can affect big change through leadership, partnership and action. 

“Never has this been more important than right now. For the first time in our lifetime, we have faced widespread fear and uncertainty generated by COVID 19, along with a requirement for enforced restriction of human contact. 

“Sadly we still live in a society where admitting psychological distress or difficulty coping are deemed a weakness. 

“Talking about mental health, supporting each other and accessing the help we need is our key to a brighter future. 

“Together we can do this.”