‘Time to Talk Day’ this year is on Thursday 4 February. It is organised by ‘Time to Change’ a growing social movement working to change the way we all think and act about mental health https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/
 
This year’s theme is ‘the power of small’, highlighting that even a small conversation about mental health has the power to make a big difference. Usdaw has published a ‘bingo card’ style checklist of small things members can do to look after their mental health. www.usdaw.org.uk/MHbingo
 
Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary says: “The last 12 months have been incredibly tough; the coronavirus pandemic continues to be a mental as well as a physical health emergency. Usdaw is continuing to focus on supporting members who might be experiencing problems at work for reasons relating to their mental health.
 
“Usdaw recognises that the pandemic poses a risk not only to our physical health and wellbeing, but to our mental health too. In the current crisis our members are under pressure like never before. Anxiety about exposure to the virus and social distancing in workplaces, increased customer abuse, isolation from friends and family, stress and worry about the future, about job security and family income - our members are dealing with these concerns on a daily basis.
 
“Usdaw reps are raising awareness to tackle the stigma that surrounds mental health, which gets in the way of members talking to the union at an early stage. This can lead to them getting caught up in disciplinary procedures that could and should have been avoided.
 
“Time to talk day is an important annual event that has reached millions of people. Usdaw supports the work of mental health organisations and pays credit to every lay-rep for everything they are doing to support members at work.”
 
Usdaw’s ‘It’s good to talk’ campaign provides the union’s workplace reps with advice and resources to support members experiencing a common mental health problem such as depression or anxiety. For more information: www.usdaw.org.uk/Help-Advice/Health-Wellbeing/Mental-Health
 
Notes for editors:
 
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest trade union with over 400,000 members. Membership has increased by more than one-third over the last couple of decades. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.
 
For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion