In this episode of the Mind, Body, Work Podcast, Joanne Swann speaks with Karl Bennett, the Wellbeing Director at Vivup, and Jennifer Liston-Smith, the Head of Thought Leadership at Bright Horizons. Together they explore the mental health challenges faced by working parents, discuss innovative workplace policies for parental support, and share strategies for a healthier work-life balance. Tune in for insights and advice on managing mental health in the dynamic world of working parents.

Guest 1: Karl Bennett, Vivup's Wellbeing Director

Karl Bennett is the Wellbeing Director at Vivup. Vivup stands out for its broad range of employee benefits, notably including support for family care. Renowned in the Employee Assistance sector, Karl has a rich background in advising on mental health and wellbeing, collaborating with major organisations like the BBC and Great Ormond Street Hospital. At Vivup, he furthers the impact of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) with a focus on proactive and preventative strategies.

Questions for Karl:

1. So to get us started Karl, can you talk us through the most common mental health challenges that working parents face today?
2. From your perspective, how can employers better support the mental health of employees who are balancing parenting responsibilities?
3. Can you share some effective strategies that parents can use at home to manage stress and maintain a healthy work-life balance?
4. In your professional opinion, what role does societal structure play in parental mental health, and how can we foster a more supportive community environment?

Guest 2: Jennifer Liston-Smith – Head of Thought Leadership, Bright Horizons UK

Jennifer Liston-Smith is the Head of Thought Leadership at Bright Horizons, a global provider of work-family solutions. Jennifer is a Certified Principal Business Psychologist who pioneered parent transition coaching and founded the business that evolved into Bright Horizons Coaching & Consultancy Services. Jennifer created the multi-award-winning Parental Leave Toolkit and has guided multinational employers in implementing and evaluating programmes for working parents and carers. Her work extends to developing coaches in her role as a Coaching Supervisor.

Questions for Jennifer:

1. Jennifer, in your role as Head of Thought Leadership, what emerging trends are you seeing in how companies are supporting working parents going forward?
2. Could you discuss the impact of early parental support in the workplace on long-term employee wellbeing and retention?
3. What innovative policies have you seen implemented in workplaces that you believe make a significant difference for parental mental health?
4. How do you think 'Parental Mental Health Day' could shape future discussions and actions around work-life integration?

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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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