NHS Rotherham acts to tackle workplace stress

ROTHERHAM businesses are being given the chance to apply for funding to help support the mental health of their staff.Stress and mental health problems are on the rise as more people struggle to deal with the effects of the economic crisis. And in a bid to

ROTHERHAM businesses are being given the chance to apply for funding to help support the mental health of their staff.

Stress and mental health problems are on the rise as more people struggle to deal with the effects of the economic crisis.

And in a bid to tackle the issue, NHS Rotherham has set up a small grants scheme offering £300 to businesses with an idea or activity to encourage good mental health in the workplace.

Jess Wilson, specialist for Mental Health in the Workplace, said: "We are really keen to support Rotherham businesses who want to develop innovative activities to encourage employee well-being.

"Ideas for activities could include engaging employees in improving their workplace, promoting stress management skills and self help techniques, tackling stigma related to mental illness or encouraging staff to be more physically active and eat more healthily. "Projects that are sustainable and can be self-financed after the grant would also be encouraged."

Grants may be allocated for staff days away, the set up of a well-being group, training, promotion of healthy food and providing opportunities for physical activities.

The grant can only be used to support employees at a Rotherham location. All successful applicants must provide evidence of how the grant has been spent as well as completing an activity evaluation form.

For an application pack contact Jess Wilson at NHS Rotherham on 01709 302727 or email [email protected]. The closing date for funding applications is February 19, 2010.