From 13 to 19 May 2024, Mental Health Awareness Week shines a spotlight on the theme of Movement: Moving more for our mental health.
In this blog, the Architects Benevolent Society (ABS) highlight their activities to support architects’ mental wellbeing.
Mental Health Awareness Week gives us a great opportunity to pause and create safe spaces to start vital conversations about mental health and share advice on how we can better support ourselves, our colleagues, friends, and families.
The theme of Movement: Moving more for our mental health recognises the importance of staying active for our mental wellbeing. Physical activity is not only good for your body, it's great for your mind. Being active releases endorphins in your brain that make you feel good - boosting your self-esteem and helping you concentrate, sleep, and feel better.
Create a healthy workplace through wellbeing courses
Improving wellbeing through physical activity is important, but sometimes additional support may be needed. ABS now works to offer a preventative approach to mental health and wellbeing through the CPD-accredited Workplace Wellbeing Essentials programme.
Designed specifically for the architectural community, this is a series of four workshops that address different aspects of mental health and wellbeing. They are interactive, encouraging your teams to get engaged and helping practices create a productive, healthy workplace environment. They also provide leadership development so you can achieve the best possible work culture for your practice. Practices can book one or all four workshops.
Book your place on the Workplace Wellbeing Essentials programme.
Here to support you when times get tough
When things become overwhelming, ABS can help you get back on track, improve your quality of life and support you to manage or overcome physical or psychological stress. We are the foundation of support for the architectural community.
ABS provides a variety of welfare support services, including services for money and debt, housing advice, legal advice, employment support, and mental health and wellbeing support. We partner with leading specialists, such as Anxiety UK, who provide therapy and self-management resources for individuals. ABS can deliver an action plan that fully meets a person’s needs, no matter the challenge.
If you are struggling, call the ABS helpline on +44 (0)20 3918 8588 or email help@absnet.org.uk to begin your journey and receive the help you need.
ABS x Bennetts Associates present Move for Mental Health: an interactive webinar
Wednesday 15 May 2024, 1pm to 2pm
Join ABS Wellbeing Lead, Anne Cosentino, Ekkist Director Ben Channon and yoga teacher Eleonora Usseglio (Founder of Re Set Pause), as they explain how we can use movement to aid good mental health and share some helpful tips for introducing movement into your busy schedule. Register for the free Move for Mental health webinar.
The individual perspective webinar – CPD-accredited
Tuesday 14 May, 12.30pm to 2pm
This CPD-accredited webinar provides an overview of common mental health difficulties, including a summary of risk factors, signs, symptoms and how these might impact stress management and our mental health. Hosted by Nicola Rich, psychotherapist and CEO of Nine to Thrive, an organisation dedicated to improving wellbeing in the workplace with substantial experience with the architectural community. Register for the free individual perspective webinar.
Mental health first aid training, ABS x Nine to Thrive
Tuesday 18 and Wednesday 19 June, 9.30am to 5pm
This two day course teaches how to identify, understand and help someone who may be experiencing a mental health issue. The training is delivered by a psychotherapist with extensive experience in mental health support for the architectural community. ABS understands the importance of having a mental health first aider irrespective of size and budget, so we are delighted to offer subsidised rates as part of our commitment to working towards enabling mentally healthy workplaces. Reserve your Mental health first aid training place for £250 per person (subsidised by ABS).
Bake the World a Better Place
Monday 13 to Sunday 19 May
Gather your practice, organisation or university together and let your team know about the help available to them from ABS. Find out more about Bake the World a Better Place.
Explore more Mental Health Awareness Week events and resources from ABS.
