Case Study
Stigma and the Workplace - Amey Roads (North Lanarkshire)
Signing The Pledge
About the initiative
Amey Roads (North Lanarkshire) Ltd joined the supporters of the 'see me' campaign by signing the pledge in March 2006 as part of a wider commitment to the issue of mental health problems within the workforce.
Involving ‘see me’
From the outset ‘see me’ was enthusiastic and supportive of Amey’s involvement. The emphasis was on what Amey could do rather than on a prescriptive set of measures imposed by ‘see me’.
The ongoing commitment has resulted from this initial approach.
The main challenge for the organisation was to be able to respond to the implications on the workforce resulting from serious mental health related issues. Amey Roads wanted to ensure that some form of help or support was made available to employees.
Resources
- ‘see me’ campaign posters and leaflets.
- Manufactured ‘see me’ campaign stickers for Amey Vehicles.
- Staff time and commitment.
What we did
Amey Roads made initial contact with the local Choose Life Coordinator to seek advice. After this contact, Amey Roads put forward two senior managers for ASIST Training (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training), and immediate benefits ensued.
Amey Roads embarked on a joined up approach to combating stigma within Lanarkshire (with the partners mentioned above). Joining up forces with the ‘see me’ campaign was identified as a way of moving forward.
Amey Roads (North Lanarkshire) met with the ‘see me’ campaign and committed signing the Pledge – creating the first private sector organisation to do so.
‘see me’ resources were made available to the 230 male employees – who have been traditionally averse to issues such as mental ill-health. The campaign was advertised within Lanarkshire via stickers on vehicles and leaflet distribution through Amey depots. In addition, a case study of involvement with the ‘see me’ campaign was included within the Amey Group magazine, circulated to over 8,000 employees nationally.
What we achieved
The key achievements from signing The Pledge benefit both the ‘see me’ campaign and the workforce of Amey Roads (North Lanarkshire):
- A wider exposure to the ‘see me’ campaign within North Lanarkshire and beyond.
- Targeting of a demographic group at risk due to non-intervention.
- Set an aspiration for the business to view mental health issues as health issues.
- Opened up resources and routes to help for both the employees and their families.
What we learned
- There is no need to be afraid of tackling the issue within the workplace.
- It doesn’t take much effort or cost to make a difference.
- There is a real benefit for the employees.
- There is a real benefit for the business.
‘see me’ is owned and run by an alliance of five mental health organisations: Highland Users Group; National Schizophrenia Fellowship Scotland; Penumbra; Royal College of Psychiatrists Scottish Division; and Scottish Association for Mental Health. ‘see me’ is fully funded by the Scottish Government.
Published by ‘see me’
1/3 Great Michael House
14 Links Place
Edinburgh
EH6 4EZ
www.seemescotland.org.uk