Empowering financial advisers to prioritise wellbeing
Discover a community of support within our dedicated Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub. We offer a range of resources and tools to help you manage stress, improve work-life balance, and enhance your overall wellbeing. Explore this page to find resources we think you’ll find helpful, learn more about the Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter and mental health first aiders, important mental health dates for your calendar, details on charities that can offer support to those who are struggling and much more!
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Top Tips
Here are some quick, easy ways that employers can support their teams’ mental health and wellbeing:
- Creating a safe environment and workplace culture that encourages people to bring their ‘whole self’ to work and puts people at ease
- Encouraging open communication about mental health both in an open environment and between line managers and their team members, who should have regular well-being check-ins. This can help to reduce the stigma that may exist around discussing this openly
- Mental Health training, for example, the Mental Health First Aider courses that are available can educate individuals on how to spot signs of and support those experiencing poor mental health
- Providing access to support, for example via employee benefit programmes, such as Help@Hand which gives access to counselling and mental health support
- Develop company policies that are supportive of those who may be experiencing poor mental health, but also policies that will positively impact the mental health of your team.
- It could be as simple as providing useful resources that promote and educate on mental health matters or taking part in activities that raise awareness, for example, ‘My Whole Self Day’.
MANAGING STRESS
We know that many within the industry are facing increased stress or pressure within their roles. Managing stress is crucial for maintaining both mental and physical health. Indeed, chronic stress can lead to a range of health issues, including anxiety, depression, heart disease, and more. Therefore, finding effective ways to manage stress is essential for overall wellbeing.
One highly effective method for managing stress is through meditation and mindfulness. These practices help to calm the mind, reduce anxiety, and improve focus. Meditation involves focusing your mind on a particular object, thought, or activity to achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm state. Mindfulness, on the other hand, is the practice of being present in the moment and fully engaging with whatever you are doing.
Meditation and mindfulness can be easily incorporated into your daily routine with the help of various tools and apps at a low cost and without requiring a commitment of too much time. Two highly recommended apps are Calm and Headspace.
- Calm offers a wide range of guided meditations, sleep stories, breathing programs, and relaxing music. It is designed to help users reduce stress, improve sleep, and enhance overall wellbeing.
- Headspace is another excellent tool for managing stress through meditation and mindfulness. It provides guided meditations, mindfulness exercises, and sleep aids. Headspace is known for its structured programs that help users build a consistent meditation practice. The app also offers short, on-the-go meditations that can be easily integrated into a busy schedule.
Incorporating meditation and mindfulness into your daily routine can significantly reduce stress levels and improve your quality of life. By using tools like Calm and Headspace, you can develop a regular practice that supports your mental and emotional health, helping you navigate the challenges of everyday life with greater ease and resilience.
Paradigm are proud to have signed up to the Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter, an important initiative started by others within our industry to drive positive change across the mortgage sector. The aim of the group is to provide support to all UK firms operating within the mortgage sector, and there is a simple charter that firms must commit to. You can find out more about their goals and objectives on their website. Signing this charter demonstrates our continued commitment to supporting all of the Paradigm team and our members wherever possible.
Visit the WebsiteResources
Below you’ll find a selection of useful resources that we think you may be find useful to understand more about mental health, and ways that you can create more supportive, inclusive workplace environments which can boost wellbeing.
HRMC report on disability, mental health and wellbeing
Mental Health Matters: Workplace Wellbeing
Suicide Prevention: Building safer workplaces and communities
Types of mental health problems
Guides to support and services
Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter Advice & Guides
Mental Health at Work
Mind - Mental Health at Work
My Whole Self 2024
Mental Health First Aiders
Firms may also want to consider establishing a Mental Health First Aider (MHFA) within their business. MHFAs are equipped to recognise the early signs of mental health issues, provide initial support and guide colleagues towards professional help. This proactive approach can reduce absenteeism, boost employee morale and foster a supportive workplace culture. Additionally, having trained MHFAs can demonstrate a company's commitment to employee wellbeing, which can enhance its reputation and attract top talent. Overall, investing in mental health training can lead to a healthier, more productive workforce. It’s also worth noting that there is a proposed bill in Parliament that aims to make mental health first-aid training a mandatory part of workplace first-aid requirements, although this is still under consideration.
Wellbeing Calendar
Although we encourage everyone to talk about mental health and wellbeing openly 365 days a year, here are opportunities to open the conversation further about mental health by getting involved in key dates in the wellbeing calendar:
- 6 February – Time to Talk day
- 17-23 March - Neurodiversity Celebration Week
- 1-30 April – Stress Awareness Month
- 4 April – Walk to Work Day
- 12-18 May – Mental Health Awareness Week
- 24 July – International Self-care Day
- 18 August – Never Give Up Day
- 10 September – World Suicide Prevention Day
- 10 October – World Mental Health Day
- 1-30 November – Movember
- 2-8 December – National Grief Awareness Week
Everyone needs help sometimes, so here are some key charities available to support:
- Anxiety UK: Helping to support people living with anxiety, stress and anxiety-based depression
- Carers Trust: Provides support and replacement care services for carers MindOut - works to improve the mental health and well-being of all LGBTQ communities.
- Crisis Intervention: Calm.
- GamCare: Independent support services provider
- LGBT Hero
- Mind
- National Gambling Treatment Service: Confidential advice, support, and information on problem gambling
- Papyrus UK: Prevention of young suicide (under 35)
- Samaritans
- Stress Management Society: Provides information about stress and tips on how to cope
- Suicide Prevention UK - help anyone who may be struggling with their mental health and/or thoughts of suicide
- The Good Grief Trust: Support for those who have suffered a bereavement National Bereavement Service: Provides practical and emotional assistance after a death
- The Mix: Young people’s mental health (under 25)
We hope you find these helpful and as ever, if there is anything Paradigm can do to support you, please get in touch.
You can call us on 03300 536061, email us on enquiries@paradigm.co.uk or you can request us to call you back.
THIS SITE IS FOR PROFESSIONAL INTERMEDIARY USE ONLY AND NOT FOR USE BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
Paradigm Consulting is a Member of the Association of Professional Compliance Consultants and also the Consumer Duty Alliance.
Useful Links
Paradigm Consulting is a trading name of Paradigm Partners Ltd
Office address: Paradigm Partners Ltd, Paradigm House, Brooke Court, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 3ND
Paradigm Partners Ltd is registered in England and Wales. No.09902499. Registered Office: As above
Paradigm Mortgage Services LLP
Office address: 1310 Solihull Parkway, Birmingham Business Park, Birmingham B37 7YB
Registered in England and Wales. Company No: OC323403. Registered Office: Paradigm House, Brooke Court, Lower Meadow Road, Wilmslow, SK9 3ND
Paradigm Mortgage Services LLP is a Limited Liability Partnership.
Paradigm Protect is a trading name of Paradigm Mortgage Services LLP
Office address: 1310 Solihull Parkway, Birmingham Business Park, Birmingham B37 7YB
Paradigm Mortgage Services LLP is registered in England and Wales. Company No: OC323403. Registered Office: Paradigm House, Brooke Court, Lower Meadow Road, Wilmslow, SK9 3ND
Paradigm Mortgage Services LLP is a Limited Liability Partnership.