Workplace wellbeing was at the heart of ESB’s mental health first aid conference this week, with mental health first aiders from across the group’s national workforce convened in the tranquil surroundings of the Mullingar Park Hotel, County Westmeath.
Inspire’s Therapeutic and Wellbeing Services (TWS) are proud to provide ESB, Ireland’s foremost energy company, with a comprehensive, market-leading employee assistance programme (EAP). This service comprises professional counselling, a 24/7 telephone helpline and full access to the Inspire Support Hub. It constitutes a critical element of ESB’s ongoing commitment to positive workplace mental health. Members of the TWS team were on hand to answer questions about the EAP and Inspire counsellor John McGuire was also available to anyone who might need support through the day.
Ann Mulkeen, ESB’s Health Promotion Officer, welcomed the gathering and praised the strength of its “unique togetherness”, asking that attendees “keep an open mind and an open heart and connect with each other.” Director of Enterprise Services Geraldine Heavey then took to the podium and pointed out that mental health first aid now “represents a global movement of millions”. Breaking down barriers, she said, can increase knowledge and understanding of mental health. “Mental health first aid is a vital skill that can save lives.”
The proceedings kicked off with Dr Pádraic Dunne from the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland. His highly informative lecture looked at how self-care sits at the heart of mental health first aid and laid out a variety of tips on how we can all become “thriving human beings”, personally and professionally.
Mental Health First Aid Ireland’s Donal Scanlan was equally engaging, outlining crucial insights on the impact of loneliness – “loneliness can relate to the quality of our relationships, rather than the lack of them” – and the unique issues surrounding men’s mental health. Following this, HSE Resource Officer for Suicide Prevention Josephine Rigney talked about national suicide prevention policies, while Rob Stephen, representing Grow Mental Health, highlighted some of the ways in which quality of life and wellbeing intersect.
Before heading for lunch, delegates were treated to an address by Bob Carley, Global Wellness Advocate at PayPal. He proclaimed the “room full of kindness” and stole the show with a highly personal reflection on the need to establish balance in life. He signed off with a simple mantra for everyone to adopt: “I am lovely, I am loveable, I am loved.”
Picking up after the break, guests were treated to a musical performance from musician Declan Byrne.
The day concluded with a session on leadership and effective team building with Ultimate Hell Week instructor, best-selling author and former soldier Ray Goggins, as well as a panel discussion of ESB’s mental health first aider survey. Inspire’s Clinical Lead, Dr David Cameron, outlined the benefits of our EAP and discussed the subject of suicide, from trends in demographics to the often subtle signs of distress that people might look for in their peers: “They’re not themselves and that’s often how you open a conversation.”
As a means of celebrating colleagues’ achievements, sharing in their knowledge and looking at new ways of working, this was a successful, vital event. We really hope to be back for the next one.
If you would like find out more about our workplace services, click here. You can also reach out to us via e-mail: enquiries@inspirewellbeing.org.
More from our blog
Menopause and work
The menopause is a natural biological process. It occurs when your ovaries age and naturally produce lower levels of reproductive hormones. The menopause may have a significant impact on home life and work performance. This can be unsettling, particularly if a particular role carries lots of responsibility. The hormonal changes…
Understanding Stepped Care and its role in workplace wellbeing
The stepped care model is a fundamental part of Inspire's workplace offering. So, what is it and why is it so important?
Time to celebrate Workplace Wellbeing Day
Workplace Wellbeing Day takes place across Ireland on Friday 26th April and business group Ibec is encouraging employers everywhere to get involved. Workplace Wellbeing Day represents an opportunity for organisations to rebalance and refocus on the things that benefit their employees' mental, physical and emotional wellbeing. It also provides them…
If It’s Okay Campaign Launched
A pair of newly published polls have revealed how people across the island of Ireland perceive mental illness. In response to figures highlighted by the research, Inspire has launched the If It’s Okay campaign, which focuses on the voices of individuals with lived experience of shame stemming from mental illness. Two surveys,…
New Analysis Highlights Importance of Workplace Wellbeing Support
A significant number of people juggling work and caring responsibilities are enduring mental health issues and financial pressures, according to Better Care Better Business, a new study by Ibec, Ireland’s largest business representative group. The research found that half of the 1,200 people who participated in the survey said that…
New Research Focuses on Parental Mental Health
A new study published by Barnardos Ireland details the prevalence of mental ill health amongst parents and the impact that this is having on their children. According to the research, 20% of parents say that they are currently experiencing poor mental health, while almost a quarter (23%) report feeling anxious…
Drug Deaths Preventable, says New Study by Queen’s University Belfast
A new report published by Queen’s University Belfast (QUB), which includes research funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), illustrates the extent to which overdose prevention centres (OPCs) can prevent thousands of drug-related deaths. The analysis comes as Northern Ireland continues to face challenges in this…
Digital Innovations at the Heart of DigiFest23
Inspire’s Assistant Director of Insight, Engagement & Innovation, Jenna Thomas, outlines the knowledge and learning gained from her trip to the DigiFest23 event in Glasgow this week. On Thursday 14th December, my colleague, Gillian Cameron, and I were delighted to attend DigiFest23, Scotland’s annual digital health, housing and care event. It…
Looking Forward to the Year Ahead
Start as you mean to go on! As we head into 2024, we want to highlight some key wellbeing tips, which you can reflect upon and then deploy as you meet a brand-new year in the best possible frame of mind. Prioritise your health If you want to clear your…
Your Year in Wellbeing
As we approach the end of December, it’s an important time to take stock of how the past year has gone. Have you kept up with the New Year’s Resolutions you set yourself at the start of 2023? If you can yes to some or all, take time to congratulate…
New Study Looks at Public Views of Alcohol
The annual, UK-wide Drinkaware Monitor was published last week and the results paint an interesting picture of how people in Northern Ireland think about alcohol. According to more than three in five adult drinkers (63%), the region has an unhealthy relationship with alcohol. That’s lower than the figure recorded for the same…
New Survey Looks at Carer Mental Health
A new survey from Carers NI has revealed the extent to which unpaid carers are experiencing significant levels of mental ill health. The State of Caring 2023 report points out that unpaid caring is a ‘major driver’ of mental illness, with a quarter of respondents describing their mental health as bad or…