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World Mental Health Day 2024 – reflections from the Withers' family team
11 October 2024 | Applicable law: England and Wales | 2 minute read
October is such a busy time at work – summer is a distant memory, and workloads intensify. This is as true for our clients as it is for us as family lawyers.
For those going through separation and divorce, 'keeping going' at work and dealing with work stress and whilst coping with the practical and emotional concerns about what lies ahead in an uncertain future can seem overwhelming and a challenge to mental wellbeing. And for those who have been through that journey already and are on the other side of divorce (maybe returning to work after a period of absence or increasing working hours/days, to help fund a single-parent household) being able to maintain good mental health at work is part of the recipe for the future success and stability for the whole family, and hence society in the long-run.
That's why I think it's great that this year's World Mental Health Day theme is ‘It's time to prioritise mental health in the workplace’. The idea is to shine a light on various aspects of mental health at work, from workplace conditions and stress management to the importance of social inclusion and empowerment. The aim is to champion mental health in the workplace and build best practices that create cultures where everyone has the potential to contribute productively and thrive.
We do a lot in our team to look after our own and each other's mental wellbeing, not all of which involves the creation and consumption of home-made baked goods (honest). I'm privileged to be one of a team of Mental Health First Aiders at Withers, our family team has partnered up with the Carvalho Consultancy to provide information, guidance and advice about mental wellbeing, collectively and individually and we are holding a range of activities today in our London office to highlight the support and resources on offer.
We each need to be aware of looking after our mental health, especially at work, so I checked in with some of my colleagues in the Withers family team and here are some of things they do to help them to de-stress as family lawyers.
'I am a secret hockey-player – it's the best antidote to a challenging day in the office is to thwack a ball really hard' Suzanne Todd.
'I join a circuits class on zoom twice a week, run by my childhood best friend whom I’ve known since we were 2. It’s a good way to keep in touch with her and fit in some exercise without needing childcare!' Jennifer Dickson.
'I take a slight interest in playing and watching football' Oliver Guest and Thomas Kurland.
'I like to de-stress by indulging in regular cold-water swimming and occasionally throwing myself off a cliff (on a paraglider)...' Katharine Landells.
What’s yours?
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