Motor Ombudsman and Ben unveil mental health awareness guide
The Motor Ombudsman has partnered with automotive industry charity Ben to create a new mental health awareness guide for employers.
Steer is a printed and free-to-download reference guide to help automotive businesses recognise and support their workers encountering mental health and wellbeing challenges.
The publication comes after research by the Motor Ombudsman last year that revealed rising bills and the cost of living was a growing challenges for 49% of employees of independent repairers and franchise dealer workshops.
Meanwhile, Ben’s latest annual Health and Wellbeing survey of over 1,000 automotive workers found that stress (57%), poor sleep (52%) and anxiety (44%) are the top three health and wellbeing issues for today’s automotive employees.
Raise awareness
Steer has been created to raise awareness of how mental health struggles can play a significant part in influencing workforce morale, engagement and performance, while also outlining practical coping strategies and signposting readers to resources.
Its launch issue:
- Acts as an overview to mental health and common drivers of personal struggles
- Identifies how employers can foster a positive and open mental health-aware environment
- Broaches the subject of mental health and wellbeing, highlights the importance of good communication, and some of the next key steps in supporting automotive employees
- Provides case studies and testimonials of how businessess have helped individuals to navigate challenges,
- Offers a summary of the key findings from the charity’s latest annual Health and Wellbeing survey report
- Includes an overview of the free and confidential support, services and resources.
Mental health challenges
Bill Fennell, chief ombudsman, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Ben on such an important initiative. The resource has been designed to guide businesses in the right direction when identifying mental health challenges, whilst equally empowering employers and employees to talk openly in a positive environment to tackle these challenges effectively together.
Bill added: “People are an organisation’s most valuable resource, and whilst there is never a ‘one-size-fits-all-approach’, it is important that they never feel alone and are aware that there is support available in their time of need, both via their employer and beyond.”
Rachel Clift, Ben’s chief executive officer, added: “Personal struggles with health and wellbeing aren’t always visible, which sometimes makes them difficult to identify and discuss. By showing understanding, having open conversations, and letting people know that support is there, we can better help individuals with their mental health.
“Steer will provide an invaluable helping hand for businesses as to what they can do, and where to go next. This is particularly important, as many in our industry find it difficult to be vulnerable about how they are feeling.”
