Usdaw’s day of action promotes the message of ‘it's good to talk’

Joanne Thomas – Usdaw general secretary says: “Usdaw has long recognised that mental health is a workplace and trade union issue. The workplace can impact on members' mental health and Usdaw reps play a vital role in raising awareness of workplace rights and helping members get the right support. Today we are saying that all actions, big and small, help to encourage conversations and break down the stigma around mental health at work.

“Usdaw’s co-ordinated day of action on mental health on 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 thanks to Usdaw reps for the work they do, day in day out, supporting members.

“Organising campaign activity on mental health in the workplace can make a real difference by helping to tackle the ongoing stigma and raising awareness of workplace rights. It also helps to let members know that where they are experiencing problems at work for reasons relating to their mental health, we can help. Where the problems go beyond the workplace then the union can help by signposting members to independent, specialist support organisations.

“Being in a union is good for your mental health. This day of action is in addition to Usdaw’s all-year-round ‘It’s good to talk’ campaign, which helps our reps to talk about mental health and support members at work every day.”