In this episode of the Mind, Body, Work Podcast, Joanne Swann speaks with Neil Laybourn, founder of NL Consultancy, a mental health and wellbeing organisation. Joanne also speaks with the Chief Executive of MFHA England, Simon Blake. Together they shed light on the critical issue of workplace stress and discuss strategies and insights that can pave the way for a healthier, happier work environment.

TW: Suicide - this episode discusses a personal experience where he intervened in a suicide attempt.

Guest 1: Neil Laybourn

Neil Laybourn is the founder of a mental health and wellbeing consultancy. His passion for mental health stems from a personal experience where he intervened in a suicide attempt on London's Waterloo Bridge in 2008. Over the years, Neil has become a prominent mental health advocate in the UK and received an Honorary Doctorate from Bristol University.

In 2017, he launched an award-winning mental health conference called This Can Happen, which now has a global presence. In 2018, Neil co-founded the national charity Beyond, which provides vital mental health interventions for young people in the UK. In 2023, he launched a consultancy aiming to help workplaces offer quality wellbeing programs.

Guest 2: Simon Blake

Simon Blake joined MHFA England® as Chief Executive in October 2018. He is responsible for setting the organisation’s strategic vision to improve the mental health of the nation, through its mission to train one in ten of the adult population in mental health knowledge, awareness and skills. He has also been instrumental in leading MHFA England’s commitment to become a truly anti-racist social enterprise.

Simon is a thought leader for mental health, workplace wellbeing, equality and inclusion. He writes for the MHFA England blog, contributes to media articles as well as speaking and facilitating mental health and wellbeing events.

Questions for Neil

1. what are common signs and symptoms of workplace stress that leaders and employees should be aware of?
2. What role can leaders play in promoting work-life balance and preventing burnout among their teams, especially in high-stress industries or roles?
3. Can you share more about your personal journey and the pivotal moment on London's Waterloo Bridge in 2008 that inspired your passion for mental health and wellbeing?
4. Tell us about your involvement with the national charity Beyond and the impact it has had on providing mental health interventions for young people. What lessons can employers learn from your work with young people to support their employees?

Questions for Simon

1. What are some effective strategies or initiatives that organisations can implement to promote employee wellbeing and reduce stress in the workplace?
2. Can you share some insights into the mission of MHFA England and how it aims to improve the mental health of the nation by training one in ten of the adult population in mental health knowledge, awareness, and skills?
3. In your experience, what are the most common misconceptions or stigmas surrounding mental health in the workplace, and how can leaders work to break down these barriers?
4. Can you share any success stories or examples of organisations that have effectively incorporated mental health knowledge, awareness, and skills training into their workplace culture?
5. As a thought leader in the field, what do you see as the future of mental health and workplace wellbeing, and how can leaders prepare themselves and their organisations for upcoming challenges and opportunities in this area?

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About Mind, Body, Work

Mind, Body, Work is a podcast produced by the UK HR website workplacewellbeing.pro a website dedicated to the wellbeing and health of working professionals.

Workplace Wellbeing Pro provides daily news items with analysis looking in-depth at topics such as financial wellbeing, mental health and stress.

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