Council highly commended for work to improve mental health
Dudley Council has been nationally recognised for its work in promoting and improving mental health among its staff.
The local authority was highly commended in the Large Organisation category of the Mates in Mind 2020 Impact Awards, which have been announced during Mental Health Awareness Week.
Mates in Mind is a charitable programme working to improve and promote positive mental health in the workplace.
Led by Craig Nevin, a principal health and safety officer with the council, a programme over the last three years has seen training courses and action plans developed.
It has worked in the main with predominantly male housing maintenance workers at the council, but has been expanded to take in other service areas.
Councillor Laura Taylor, cabinet member for housing, communities and residents’ welfare, said:
“This is fantastic recognition for the brilliant work that has been done by Craig and the team over the past three years.
“It is a fact that generally men find it more difficult to express their emotions or talk easily about mental health, but we have really made great strides in this field.
“It is the first time the council has been put up for such an award and, considering we were up against some major multinational companies, it is amazing we have been highly commended.
“This really puts us on the map in addressing the stigma attached to male mental health in the construction industry.”