Ceartas are proud to be one of the first to join See Me as one of the first four partners in the See Me in Work Programme. The See Me in Work programme helps and supports employers in making changes to their work practices, to improve the working lives of employees with mental health problems. It encourages organisations to take steps to tackle mental health stigma and discrimination in the workplace.

Ceartas offer free independent advocacy for all residents of East Dunbartonshire and often work directly with individuals who are marginalised and vulnerable. As a small organisation whose core business is based around challenging stigma and discrimination for individuals, Ceartas have strived to develop a safe working environment and positive culture for employees.

Ceartas went through the four stages of the See Me in Work programme, which involved surveying the staff to identify where issues around mental health stigma may exist and find out more about the employees opinions on mental health. Results demonstrated an open culture within the organisation where team members felt comfortable in discussing mental health and offering support where required. Ceartas worked with See Me on a plan to enhance communications and awareness of mental health. A number of awareness raising events were held which have encouraged staff to have conversations on mental health without the fear of being judged.

Services Manager of Ceartas, Sharon Bairden, travelled through to Edinburgh for the first meeting of the See Me in Work programme to highlight the work undertaken by the organisation.  Sharon said “As See Me in Work Partners we are committed to taking steps to continually improve the working environment to ensure that our staff feel supported in their role and have access to supports to help them deal with any challenges they face. Given the nature of our work there is already an openness about discussing mental health and wellbeing and becoming partners has served to augment this further.”

As a See Me in Work Partner, Ceartas are in good company with other partner organisations such as HMRC Aberdeen, Standard Life, and The Royal Society of Edinburgh, all making positive changes in their organisations.

See Me Programme Director, Calum Irving: “The employers who have become See Me in Work partners are real leaders in Scotland, taking the initiative in tackling mental health discrimination at work. Last year a YouGov poll commissioned by See Me found that 48% of Scottish workers say people don’t tell their employers about mental health problems for fear of losing their job. By supporting workers who are experiencing problems with their mental health and having an open culture where it is okay to talk about mental health it is likely to save employers money as absence rates may be reduced. We are delighted to have our first See Me in Work partners and would urge other organisations to look into their workplaces.”

The work of Ceartas also recently featured in the Kirkintilloch Herald, you can read here.

Please contact the team at Ceartas on 0141 775 0433 or info@ceartas.org.uk for more information.