Our own mental health and the mental health of colleagues and those close to us has always been important and is likely to be of particular significance to many of us now, in these unexpectedly challenging times.
At Sussex, we want to develop our provision in support of mental health and of wellbeing. We are creating a new online wellbeing hub that will offer a range of self-directed resources that staff can access at a time and place that suits them. This will support our patterns of flexible working and we will be sharing information about this in the next few weeks.
In addition, we will be building on the work done by Professor Clive Webb and by Professor Sam Cartwright-Hatton and Dr Cassie Hazell on how we can and should develop provision on mental health for staff here at Sussex.
HR is asking for volunteers to join a Mental Health Staff Forum which will shape the development of that provision and have input to its planning.
Sharon Neal, Assistant Director of Human Resources for OD, Culture and Inclusion, says: “We hope that some of our staff, those with the lived experience of mental health problems and those who are keen allies for mental health support will join this group to help us in our work.
“The Forum will meet once a term, will help us prioritise the work that Sussex colleagues have already highlighted as important and will help us keep that work anchored firmly in the experience of those who live with mental health problems. In this way, we keep the work authentic and meaningful.”
If you are interested in joining the Forum, then please email edi.unit@sussex.ac.uk
If you have any questions on the Forum, please email Sharon Neal on s.f.neal@sussex.ac.uk