64% of students believe disclosing mental health issues will hinder their chances of securing a job
62% are concerned about the impact a new role will have on their mental health
83% are more likely to apply to an employer who is open about its commitment to mental health
The importance of mental health remains a key issue for employers, and particularly graduate recruiters. Research carried out by the City Mental Health Alliance (CMHA) found that students and recent graduates are hugely conscious about the potential impact of a new job on their mental health. It was also found that individuals judge a potential employer on their mental health and well-being policies.
These findings will have a huge impact on employers who want to recruit the very best talent since these individuals are bright, hardworking and ambitious. However, in order to attract them to the workplace and enable them to succeed employers need to be able to provide the support required to empower individuals to excel in the tough environments that they will invariably find themselves in.
During this Webinar experts shed light on this complex subject and helped us to understand more about mental health, the potential causes, and the challenges individuals face as they enter the workforce.
The purpose of this event was for participants to learn more about the subject of mental ill health and in doing so remove the fear and silence that exists around this subject. It aimed to build their confidence to have relevant conversations with applicants and employees enabling them to have the support they require to excel in their role.
Speakers:
Farimah Darbyshire
Farimah leads on the City Mental Health Alliance’s Early Careers Mental Health Programme. The CMHA is a membership organisation, which brings together businesses, mental health experts and partner organisations to achieve the vision that every workplace will support and create positive mental health for their people.
Farimah’s focus is on working with businesses to help them to support the positive mental health of their young people as they make that often stressful transition from education into the workplace. She works with businesses, mental health experts and people with lived experience to develop guidance, seminars and training to help businesses support young people during recruitment, induction and the first few years of their career. Most recently, she has worked with organisations such as Goldman Sachs, KPMG, PwC, Slaughter and May and the Bank of England to develop the first of its kind Guide ‘To Mentally Healthy Recruitment in Early Careers’.
Adam Dempsey
Adam is an Associate at KPMG Law, recently qualifying into the Data, Digital and Technology practice as a commercial solicitor. Adam previously trained at Baker McKenzie and has spent time on secondment to the commercial operations legal team at Amazon.
Adam has suffered from various mental health issues for the past decade through school, university, and into his career as a commercial solicitor that continue to be a pressure in his day to day life. Whilst a junior lawyer, he has had to undergo various mental health treatments and take periods of time off work, which forced a level of transparency and honesty that was not widely discussed in the legal profession at the time. Adam has a keen interest being an advocate and role model for peers and superiors alike to foster an inclusive and diverse support network. He has worked to speak out, mentor, and coach others who may be unable to be open and honest at work and believes in the importance of improving the accessibility of the profession to all.
Andy Gibson
Andy Gibson is an award-winning entrepreneur and author who specialises in helping people make the most of their minds. He is the founder and Head Gardener of Mindapples, the campaign he started in 2008 in response to the lack of attention being given by policymakers and campaigners to public mental health. Mindapples has since gone on to reach hundreds of thousands of people around the world with positive messages about mental health and wellbeing.
Andy writes books and speaks at conferences about mental health and business performance. His last book, A Mind for Business (Pearson, 2015) was WHSmith’s Business Book of the Month in March 2015, based on his work on Mindapples’ business training programmes, which are now used by many major multinational businesses to help their staff work smarter and more sustainably. His latest book, The Mind Manual, is out now published by Hamlyn Press, and is also based on a decade of work advising the public on mental health and wellbeing.
Andy has worked with some of the biggest brands in global business to help them get the best from their staff, including Tesco, NewsCorp, L’Oreal, Gowling, Lendlease, Accenture, the Wellcome Trust, the Nature Conservancy, the NSPCC, MSF, Save the Children and most of the world’s top investment banks. He holds degrees in history and psychology, and has advised the UK Government on health promotion, supported many entrepreneurs to launch and grow their ventures, and speaks internationally about business innovation and social change.
Klara Holmes
Klara is a Consultant Analyst at Accenture, joining the graduate scheme 12 months ago. Klara has suffered from mental health issues from a young age, finally being diagnosed at 19 with depression and anxiety. This, combined with the loss of a friend to suicide, has meant Klara is passionate about raising awareness around mental health and encouraging people to open up about their struggles.
At Accenture, Klara is involved with the Mental Health Ally programme – leading their events to promote mental health in the workplace and support colleagues. Outside of the office, Klara strives to reduce the stigma through fundraising efforts for various Mental Health charities, most recently completing the London Marathon for CALM.
Jack Jacobs
Jack is a life coach, inspirational speaker and entrepreneur, empowering the next generation to fulfill their full potential. Jack is the founder of josp, a platform that is educating young people on how to build a healthy relationship with their mind, building layers to prevent mental illness and enabling early intervention. Jack also runs a private life coaching practice for children, teens and young adults, providing a safe, comfortable and confidential space for young people to explore, discover and transform.
For over 8 years, Jack has delivered inspirational talks and workshops at schools, universities and organisations of all shapes and sizes around mental health, personal development and entrepreneurship. Jack has also worked extensively with charities and the media to break the stigma around mental health. As well as coaching, speaking and running josp, Jack is also furthering his education through studying towards a BSc Psychological Counselling degree with London South Bank University. Making an impact is at the heart of everything Jack does.
Aaron Sherwood
Aaron Sherwood is the Founder of Accenture’s Human X.0 offering - specialising in human-machine technologies designed to enhance human efficiency, senses, capability and outcomes. Having recently been voted Onalytica’s 25th Global Management Consulting Health Influencer, Aaron openly shares his experiences overcoming PTSD on international stages including This Can Happen 2019 & 2020.
Aaron helps to support Accenture’s impressive UK/I Mental Health Allies Network by way of co-organising continuous learning calls and hosting dedicated PTSD focused brownbag sessions. In Aarons spare time, he has a YouTube Channel called AaronsTechTalks which focussed on emerging technology, physical and mental health.
Due to the current situation with regards to the Corona Virus this Disability Cafe was adapted and changed to a Webinar. This webinar was not recorded.
MyPlus run a variety of these types of events for employers. For details of the different types visit our events page. For details of forthcoming Recruiters’ Club events taking place visit our events calendar page.
