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Mental Health Awareness:
It’s good to talk

About Mental Health Awareness

One in four of us will have a mental health problem at some point in our lives.

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Usdaw takes both the physical and mental wellbeing of its members very seriously. With mental health problems on the rise, lots of our reps and officials are supporting members with anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions.

Our campaign materials have the theme 'It's Good To Talk' and are designed to help open up conversations and reduce the stigma of talking about mental health. 

Day of Action on Mental Health

Every year, Usdaw organises a co-ordinated Day of Action on Mental Health on 10 October to mark World Mental Health Day. Find out more.

No matter how big or small the action, we encourage conversations and the breaking down of the stigma around mental health at work.

Get Involved

Although we organise a Day of Action on 10 October, our campaigning isn't limited to one day a year. There are many ways to get involved whenever you are able. 

Survey - We want to find out more about the experiences of members living with a mental health problem so that we can identify what support they need at work.

Noticeboard - Theme your workplace noticeboard with materials about mental health.

Social -  Share our message on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram

Join – Ask any non-members who engage with the campaign to Join Usdaw.

Share your story - Help us raise awareness about mental health by sharing your story. Contact the magazne team at [email protected]

Want to learn more about mental health?

Our Online Learning Gateway contains links to providers that offer courses, learning, and support on health and wellbeing.

Our Looking After Your Mental Health course has been developed to help reps and members look after their mental health during these difficult and challenging times, and aims to give a greater understanding of some common mental health conditions and experiences.

You can also take our Mind Your Head course, which can help you recognise feelings and reactions in yourself and potentially in others, and what we can do to promote better mental health.

How this helps you

For too long mental health has been a taboo subject and individuals were often, and unfairly, blamed for their condition. The shame and secrecy around mental health can have devastating consequences. Usdaw wants to change that while accepting that it is a complex and sensitive area.

Members with mental health problems may well have rights to additional support at work under the Equality Act – but these rights are often poorly understood by managers leading to members not getting the support they need.

If you're struggling with your mental health, your rep will be able to provide advice and support. We also have a wealth of materials available within this area of the website.

Mental Health Awareness...It's Good to Talk

"Failing to take mental health seriously doesn’t just have an enormous impact on people. Absences take their toll on businesses, our NHS, and our economy as a whole."

 

Wes Streeting MP, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care

05 May 2025

"We know a timely intervention on mental health can save anguish and distress further down the line and to deliver this we need to expand the mental health workforce so everyone can access the right people, with the right support, at the right time. That’s why our Manifesto promised an extra 8,500 mental health staff."

 

Wes Streeting MP, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care

05 May 2025

"Central to good health and good mental health are good jobs. So while I’m focussed on fixing the foundations of our NHS, the whole Government is working hard to deliver our manifesto promise to deliver the new deal for working people."

 

Wes Streeting MP, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care

05 May 2025

"Usdaw’s co-ordinated day of action on mental health on Tuesday 10 October coincides with World Mental Health Day. It gives us another opportunity to highlight how Usdaw can help members where mental health problems are affecting their performance or attendance at work. It also gives us the chance to place on record our gratitude to Usdaw reps for the work they do, day in day out, supporting members."

 

Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General Secretary

10 October 2023

"One in four of us will have a mental health problem at some point in our lives; for too long mental health has been a taboo subject and individuals are often unfairly blamed for their condition. So we very much welcome this campaign day to help highlight the issue."

 

Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General Secretary

01 February 2024

Publications

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Mental Health Issues - Where to go for help and support at work - an advice guide for Usdaw members (Leaflet 400)

13 August 2024

PDF eBook

Talking about Men’s Health - Depression (Leaflet 441)

08 August 2024

PDF eBook

Mental health at work survey

Usdaw wants to find out more about the experiences of members living with a mental health problem, so that we can identify what support they need at work.

Could you spare a couple of minutes to answer some questions about your experience?