Law firm Herbert Smith Freehills has launched a mental health mentoring programme for its 1,714 staff at its London and Belfast offices.
Its mental health mentor programme will provide access to a network of more than 60 individuals who can give advice, support and mentoring on mental health issues.
The mentors from Herbert Smith Freehills, who have all volunteered for the role, have received basic training in workplace stress, common mental health problems, wellbeing and the stigma surrounding mental health issues.
In addition to providing advice and support, they will be able to direct individuals to appropriate support services and will also play a role promoting wellbeing initiatives within the firm.
Herbert Smith Freehills already has an established mental health and wellbeing programme, which aims to raise awareness of mental health conditions and promote the wellbeing of its employees through keynote speakers, panel events and workshops with its consultant psychoanalyst Mary Bradbury.
James Palmer, senior partner at Herbert Smith Freehills, said: “Encouraging people to seek help in relation to mental health, stress and other aspects of their wellbeing is important and I hope this programme will be another step towards that.
“So many mental health issues can be overcome with support and I am very grateful to the mentors for their time and commitment to help others in this role.”
Ian Cox, managing partner UK and US at Herbert Smith Freehills, added: “Our mental health mentors are located both in practice groups and business services functions and are well placed to have a positive conversation about mental health, stress and related topics.
“This programme will go a long way to creating more openness about these issues so that we can all take better care of our mental, as well as our physical, wellbeing.”
Employee Benefits hosted the first in a new series of live webinars, Employee Benefits Wired, on 28 April. It focused on workplace mental health issues, such as stress.
Keep an eye on www.employeebenefits.co.uk for news about future webinars, and watch Employee Benefits Wired: Mental Wellbeing on EBTV.