Wellbeing Wednesday: Rob's story for Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental health problems affect one in four people in any one year. So even if this hasn't affected you, it's likely a friend, a family member, or a work colleague will have experienced this.

However, Business in the Community (BiTC) report 30% of people aren't telling others about their mental health problems.

That’s why, as part of Unipart's wellbeing strategy, we want to make sure our colleagues know and feel that “It’s OK to not be OK.”

In 2020, Rob Ansell, a First Line Manager working on the Unipart Logistics NHS Contract, went to his GP after his friends and family noticed some problematic changes in his behaviour and asked him to get support.

He was diagnosed with a mental health condition and, with professional help, the support of his friends, family and the Company, he is now successfully managing this on an ongoing basis.

Rob has agreed to share his story to raise awareness of mental health, and encourage others to talk about this, as part of our February focus on mental health awareness and Time To Talk day on 4 February. 

LifeWorks, our employee and family assistance provider, is available for all UK colleagues.

Free confidential support and counselling for colleagues and up to five family members on 0800 169 1920. No account is needed to access this telephone support.

For online support please visit unipart.lifeworks.com or the LifeWorks mobile app - if you don't already have a login, find out more about how to sign up here.

Sometimes we may feel that we don't know enough about mental health to be able to help someone, or we may just feel uncomfortable talking about it. 

You don't need to be an expert - a small conversation has the power to make a big difference to someone who may be struggling - whether that is face to face, on the phone or via a text.

Our Wellbeing page has lots of information to support you, including how to approach setting up and having a conversation with someone about mental health.

There are also lots of articles and resources on Lifeworks such as how to support your team through mental health challenges. 

There are wide range of resources on Lifeworks, and Rob has recommended the following six books that have helped him to maintain his mental health:  

As part of our Time to Talk day activity, our external expert Terry Streather will be holding a lunch and learn session which will cover:

• the concept of mental health
• how to start a conversation if you’re worried about someone
• simple things we can all do to maintain good mental health.

The webinar will be held at 11.30 - 12.30 via Google meet - sign up here (limited places available)

Click here to find out more about all the activities that will taking place on Time to Talk Day