Local CCG sign Time to Change Employer’s Pledge
August 10, 2019 at 9:30 am
Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (BNSSG CCG) has signed the ‘Time to Change’ employer pledge. The pledge is a way for organisations to demonstrate their commitment to changing the way we all think and act about mental health in the workplace, and supporting the wellbeing of staff.
The CCG has already made headway in recruiting a number of ‘Time to Change staff champions’, who will be key in driving change across the organisation, and developing new and different ways of raising awareness of mental health.
Dr David Soodeen, the CCG’s Clinical Lead for Mental Health, and Time to Change Governing Body champion, said:
“We know it can be hard to talk about mental health, which is why we’re supporting employees to open up; to talk and to listen.
One in four people are affected by conditions like anxiety, depression and stress every year. It’s a myth to think that people with mental health problems can’t work – with the right knowledge and skills we can help our employees to stay well.
Signing the pledge demonstrates our continued commitment to tackling mental health stigma and ensuring that we’re providing staff with a great place to work.”
Over the next few months, the CCG will be working with Time to Change Bristol to put its commitment into practice, starting with a Time to Change staff workshop led by people with lived experience of mental health from Bristol Independent Mental Health Network (BIMHN). The champions network is also launching a ‘temperature check’ survey to understand more about people’s experiences and views, and inform the organisation’s Time to Change action plan.
Independent Mental Health Network CEO, Tom Renhard, said:
“We are really pleased to have attended the signing of the Time to Change Employer’s Pledge by BNSSG CCG, one of the few CCG’s in the country to have done so. We have been working closely with the organisation to support the development of the action plan and delivered a workshop for staff at the CCG.
Alongside Bristol City Council, it is encouraging to know that city leaders are firmly committed to challenging mental health stigma and discrimination. We are committed to supporting organisations to sign the pledge and be leading organisations in the fight to end mental health stigma and discrimination.
If you are reading this article as an organisation that is yet to sign up, get in touch by emailing so we can support you on your journey to improve mental health in the workplace.”
CCG Chief Executive, Julia Ross, said:
“We are delighted to be signing the Time to Change pledge today. As well as demonstrating our commitment to supporting mental health at work, it’s a reflection of the strength of the action plan we submitted earlier in the year.
We’re ambitious about the health of our population, and that includes the people who work with us. If we’re going to continue to attract and retain the very best people, it’s important that we create a healthy and inclusive environment for everyone.”
Time to Change is an anti-stigma campaign run by the leading mental health charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness. It has been shown to have a positive impact on attitudes and behaviour towards people who are experiencing mental health problems.
The pledge was signed at the CCG Governing Body meeting on August 6 by BNSSG CCG Chief Executive, Julia Ross and Clinical Chair Dr Jonathan Hayes.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- Julia Ross, Chief Executive, BNSSG CCG signed the Time To Change pledge at the CCG Governing Body meeting on 6 August, 1.30pm – 5.30pm at Vassall Centre, Gill Avenue, Fishponds, Bristol BS16 2QQ.
- For more information about Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group please visit: www.bnssgccg.nhs.uk
For access to a range of free images to accompany mental health news stories please visit www.time-to-change.org.uk/getthepicture. These images have been developed by Time to Change.
Time to Change
Time to Change is a campaign to change how we all think and act about mental health problems, led by the charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness. It is funded by the Department of Health, Comic Relief and the Big Lottery Fund. Set up to create a positive shift in public attitudes towards mental health problems, Time to Change supports communities, schools and workplaces to open up to mental health problems; to talk and to listen.
For more information go to www.time-to-change.org.uk.
Time to Change Bristol
Time to Change Bristol Hub is a partnership of local organisations and people who are committed to ending mental health stigma and discrimination. It is made up of the city council, Bristol Independent Mental Health Network (BIMHN), Wellbeans Initiative CIC and Rethink Bristol; with support from partners across the city – including employers, unions, universities, police and the NHS.
Media contacts:
Sean Gilchrist, Communications Officer
0117 984 1644
CCG Press Office
0300 123 4476
August 10, 2019 at 9:30 am | News | No comment