MENTAL HEALTH
AWARENESS WEEK 2023

Mental Health Awareness Week took place from 15– 21 May, with this year's theme focusing on "Anxiety".

During Mental Health Awareness Week, our Mental Health Supporters, the safety team, and the Samaritans were on the network visiting staff, raising awareness and demonstrating the importance of talking to each other and its positive effect on our mental wellbeing. Improving mental health is a key priority for ARL.

We want to take this opportunity to remind you of our ARL Mental Health Supporters programme, a peer-to-peer support network providing an avenue for colleagues to talk privately and confidently to a Mental Health Supporter of your choosing. They are here to listen non-judgmentally, give reassurance and information, show where to find professional help and encourage self-help strategies and coping advice. 

During Mental Health Awareness Week, ARL Mental Health Supporters and Samaritans visited stations to check in with staff and raise awareness of available support. This was a valuable experience, and it was very moving to hear from colleagues who could open up about their mental health struggles. We had conversations about anxiety and personal circumstances contributing to poor mental health and how work may impact wellbeing, mainly if a staff member has been involved or witnessed a serious incident at a station. There was one particular intervention with a colleague, which no doubt made a huge difference to how they were feeling that day, and we were able to signpost to support further and make a difference.

Jim Lock and Chris Price: Mental Health Supporters spent some time on the network visiting Liverpool Street, Rectory Road, Enfield Town, Bush Hill Park, Edmonton Green at St James Street, Surrey Quays, Dalston Junction, Hoxton, Shadwell, and Rotherhithe. They had a great response from staff who welcomed the conversations, Mental Health Foundation ribbons, and other resources such as the Samaritan pocketbooks, Mental Health Supporters books, and additional helpful signposting information.

Liam Nixon and Janice Clarke – Mental Health Supporters
While out and about on the DC Line, Liam and Janice spoke about the importance of mental health and the Mental Health Supporters network, including the help available from the Employee Assistance Program.

The front-line teams had a very positive reaction; they welcomed the duo to speak with them in person. Front-line colleagues also pointed out the importance of being able to talk without being judged at work by managers and co-workers. Critical conversations took place.

Mental health awareness is very much on people's minds now, and everyone they spoke with were willing to talk or listen if a fellow worker or customer just wanted to chat. While speaking with colleagues, both came across the same theme colleagues felt that more needs to be done regarding mental health. Some teams needed to be made aware of the Mental Health Supporters network. Colleagues felt positive that we had front-line staff trained as mental health supporters; they thought they would find it easier to speak with someone who can understand more about their day job than others.

Quotes from staff
One customer host said, "We need to be able to talk to each other confidently about issues relating to work or personal issues outside work without the fear that it will be discussed with everyone.

A colleague also mentioned, "Since some shifts had been removed or changes at stations, they feel their mental health has become more of a challenge than ever as they are alone working for longer periods."

Another customer host stated, "People need to remember mental health doesn't just come and go within a few days. Some may take months to recover, while others may recover quicker, and it is important not to judge. Everyone's journey is different.

"It is great to see colleagues in person to talk and get things off your chest if needed."

Katarzyna Stec – mental health supporter – visited her stations on the West Anglia route spreading awareness around mental health. "At Clapton station, my colleague Dudu Mia was on duty, and we displayed leaflets about Mental Health Supporters and Mental Health Awareness Week on the station's noticeboard. We had a positive, meaningful discussion; Dudu is passionate about mental health and aware of how important it is to open up and ask for help or even sit down and talk.

A big thank you to all of our Mental Health Supporters who are always available if called upon by their colleagues. Their passion and enthusiasm to spread awareness and remove mental health stigma help us have meaningful interactions with ourselves, colleagues, families and the community and improve our quality of life.