Poor mental health accounts for more than half of all work-related illnesses. According to data, around 51% of long-term sick leave is due to stress, depression, or anxiety. Given that we spend a significant portion of our adult lives working, our workplaces must have a secure infrastructure that can support us in dealing with the wide variety of challenges that life can bring. 

At AQS, we understand that our team is the beating heart of everything we do and take pride in the excellent cleaning service we provide where people live, work, and play. Safety is one of the core values that underpin our business. It is, therefore, of utmost importance that we not only carry this through on every job we do but also include our staff to ensure every member receives access to mental health support to ensure their wellbeing and productivity. 

Why mental wellbeing matters - the proof is in the data. 

Many employees are experiencing higher levels of intensity and pressure at work, resulting in an increase in work-related mental health cases, as indicated by a recent survey published by the HSE. The statistics reveal that 1.8 million workers reported they were suffering from work-related ill health in 2022/23, with approximately half of the cases down to stress, depression or anxiety. 

As an employer, we believe it is important to prioritise the wellbeing of our colleagues by supporting them. Therefore, we strongly encourage each senior staff member at AQS to become an Everymind Mental Health Champion, along with the implementation of our supportive initiatives within the organisation. In doing so, we have successfully created a supportive and healthy network for our team. 

Every mind at Work – Mental Health Champions

Everymind is an on-demand support service designed for Mental Health First Aiders and champions who volunteer their time and compassion to support their colleagues. It also provides people with the necessary skills to support themselves and their colleagues at work. 

Becoming champions has given us access to valuable insights and actionable resources for promoting better mental health. 

How we support our staff 

We have implemented a Health and Wellbeing policy that includes the support of a fully trained Mental Health First Aider. This trained professional is available to assist any existing staff facing issues. Our policy aims to create a positive and supportive organisational culture where negative wellbeing issues are identified, minimised, and managed before they affect staff wellbeing. Our ultimate goal is to promote positive health and wellbeing ideas and practices at work. 

AQS Mental Health Champion and Operations Support Manager, Maja Abramek comments on some of the ways we support staff: 

"We talk to them. There is a lot more awareness now around mental health with people suffering from anxiety and depression. When talking to staff, we must approach delicately and show great empathy. 

"Picking up on a physical reaction like shaking or changing the tone of voice is just one example of what a Mental Health champion is looking for. It's our job to read these situations and offer our full support. 

“With each scenario, we understand that we must support the unique needs of their situation. For instance, if they are facing any family-related issues, we offer flexibility in terms of changing their work hours or relocating them to a different area.” 

This isn’t the only way we support our staff - every single staff member through our Employee Assistance Programme has access to health and wellbeing support through Health Assured. This service offers compassionate support 24/7, 365 days a year, trauma management, and wellbeing support, and is another way to highlight our dedication to supporting staff. 

Supporting others in need 

Recognising the critical importance of mental health services, and as a key part of our commitment to mental health advocacy and support, we’re proud to support local charity Mind Cymru. 

Chosen by all the staff at AQS, this charity has a mission of ensuring that everyone in Wales has access to the necessary information, support, and services. 

By supporting Mind Cymru, we are actively contributing to ensuring no one in Wales faces a mental health challenge alone. We recognise the broader societal impact of mental health initiatives, and this collaboration reflects our ethos of community engagement and social responsibility. 

The difference it can make to our colleagues and yours 

No matter which industry you work in, mental health should be taken seriously in the workplace. Supporting the mental wellbeing of staff can help reduce sickness absences and reassure staff that they are seen as people and not just someone who delivers a job. 

Establishing a positive, open mental health culture and having someone that you can talk to within our workplace is something we can only see as a positive in our organisation part of the Tudor Group. We are proud to support our wide network of staff to ensure they are given the required support they deserve. 

Should you wish to seek mental health support, many resources are available online. Here is a link to a handy guide on Mind UK on the services available, how they can help and when to access them.