Smile Box, a leading advocate for mental health awareness based in Redditch, spearheaded a refreshing event aimed at an all-male demographic of engineers to shed light on the importance of men’s mental health. The event, held at the prestigious Abbey Hotel in Redditch, brought together a diverse group of men from local company, Intec Laser Services to explore the importance of open discussion in combating mental health challenges, which are known to affect one in four people.
Despite strides made in recent years, mental health remains a significant concern, particularly among men who often face societal pressures to suppress their emotions. Smile Box recognised the urgency of addressing this issue and organised a Wellbeing Workshop tailored specifically for men in manufacturing, a profession known for its high-stress environments and demanding workloads.
The event featured a series of engaging discussions and team-building activities designed to encourage a supportive environment where attendees felt comfortable opening up about their mental health and the stigma that still exists. As a result of this four-hour workshop, participants gained valuable insights into the importance of prioritising their mental well-being and supporting their colleagues in doing the same.
“We know there is lots of work to do in reducing the stigma that still surrounds male mental health,” said Donna Fisher, Founder and Director of Smile Box. “Men need to know that showing feelings and asking for help when things feel tough is a sign of strength, not weakness. The old narrative of ‘man up’ or a ‘stiff upper lip’ still exists, particularly for older generations and we are doing what we can at Smile Box to challenge this by reminding people it’s ok to speak up when life feels difficult. This event allowed us to bring together a group of local men in a relaxed environment where we created a safe space for individuals to share their experiences and learn from one another.”
The event also emphasised the role of employers in fostering a workplace culture that prioritises mental health and encourages employees to seek help when needed. Smile Box underscored the importance of implementing policies and initiatives that promote work-life balance, self-care, stress management, and access to mental health resources.
“At Intec, we are committed to supporting our staff by partnering with organisations to promote mental wellness in the workplace,” added Dale Hollis, Managing Director, Intec Laser Services. ” If anyone in the manufacturing space is thinking about running a session like this… don’t hesitate, to see everyone engaging and opening up about mental health was fantastic’’.
Smile Box extends its gratitude to the Abbey Hotel for providing the perfect venue for this impactful event and to all the staff at Intec who participated in the discussions and activities and gave their all.
After the event, feedback was received from all the attendees and 100% would recommend this workshop to others, so if you are thinking about running a similar session, Smile Box would love to hear from you. For more information about Smile Box and its initiatives please get in touch – hello@smile-box.co.uk
Here at Smile Box, we’re confident we can help support your employee wellbeing culture and mental health!
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