Heineken says it has made a public commitment to help end mental health stigma in the workplace.
The company has signed a pledge with mental health awareness group Time To Change, and says it will work with the group to promote physical, social and mental wellbeing of its 2,000 employees.
The company has pledged to support its people through any illness – be that physical or mental, and has put training in place to make sure all managers are able to identify and support mental health issues.
It has also trained 30 ‘mental health champions’ across six sites who can provide mental health first aid and be the first port of call for affected colleagues. And it has also introduced yoga classes, walking clubs and five-a-side football clubs. It is estimated one in six British workers experience mental illness.
‘We believe strongly in enjoyment of life, which is why we have a wellbeing strategy,’ David Forde, MD of Heineken UK said. ‘I want everyone who works for Heineken to be safe in the knowledge that whatever they are going through – physically or mentally – as an organisation, we are right behind them.’
Sue Baker OBE, director of Time to Change, added: ‘We know it can be hard to talk about mental health, which is why we’re supporting employers to open up; to talk and to listen. Too many people with mental health problems are made to feel isolated, ashamed, and worthless, but with the right support, those of us with mental health problems can recover and have equal opportunities in all areas of life.
‘Everyone’s attitude makes a difference and it’s fantastic to see organisations like Heineken taking the lead.’
