Congress motions

Motion

Motion title

Mental health awareness and better support for mental health

Session

2011-2012

Meeting link

Annual Congress

Meeting date

9 June 2012

Status

Passed unanimously

Motion

22

Motion text

Congress notes
1 the growing incidence of mental health issues in the current period of economic austerity
2 the rise in workloads and performance management practices which exacerbate mental stress
3 absences and a decline of productivity caused by mental health issues cost employers millions of pounds
4 the impact of mental distress is often unknown due to the unwillingness to disclose, a situation exacerbated by what many academic staff experience as punitive performance management and opaque decision making.
As many as one in four will have mental health issues and the stigma associated with this impairment make it difficult to access support.
Work colleagues are often unaware of the impact of mental health impairments which increases isolation.
Congress calls on the NEC to:
a. campaign for a raised awareness of mental health issues and promote awareness of mental health issues among branches and regions
b. provide mental health training to branch health and safety, branch and equality representatives
c. campaign alongside higher and further education institutions to take proactive measures on workplace mental health including the annual mental health awareness week and the work by the Mental Health Foundation
d. help all branches create a better, more supportive work environment for all staff and especially those with mental health impairments.
e. develop the UCU 1 in 4 briefing and workplace policies to include ongoing work adjustment where required for members with mental health issues, not just for the initial return to work.

Proposing body

Composite

Amended

Yes

Allocated to

Equality committee

Notes