Nationwide Building Society is taking part in a mental health awareness session focussing on depression.

Representatives of Nationwide will address how employers can support their people and encourage best practice in the workplace.

Kirstie Hitchcock-Smith, Senior HR Manager, Case Management at Nationwide Building Society, will be sharing her experience and best practice with delegates at the Swindon Mindful Employer Network, to be hosted at the Jurys Inn in Swindon on Monday, November, 21.

Kirstie said: “We are delighted to be supporting the Swindon Mindful Employer Network again which is a highly valuable resource to the local business community. As a Mindful Employer, Nationwide is, always happy to work with other businesses and organisations in promoting healthier workplaces to local communities. Sharing best practice is important to Nationwide in order to gain a greater understanding on how to maintain and promote a successful, resilient team which responds to the challenges of the economy and the needs of our members.”

The session, entitled Depression: what employers need to know, will help to dispel the myths and stigma surrounding this particular mental illness and provide guidance and advice to local businesses on how to support staff suffering from clinical depression.

Depression affects people in different ways and can cause a wide variety of symptoms. They range from lasting feelings of sadness and hopelessness, to losing interest in the things you used to enjoy and feeling tearful. Many people with depression also have symptoms of anxiety. Physical symptoms can also be experienced, such as feeling constantly tired, sleeping badly, having no appetite and complaining of various aches and pains. The severity of the symptoms can vary.

The guest speaker will be Mindful Employer supporter Mandy Rutter, Head of Resilience and Trauma Management Services at Validium.

The awareness event includes an interview and Q&A session with special guest Cormac MacMahon, News Editor at Heart FM; Melanie Richens of the UK College of Personal Development will chair the occasion.

Also taking part will be Helen Baker and Karen Holman from the Swindon branch of the Depression Alliance, which is managed by Swindon Mind and currently provides a self-help group. Joining the list of contributors will be Alex Stirzaker from LIFT Psychology which supports local people with mental health issues.

Demand from Swindon businesses has been extremely high with the event fully booked.

For more information about this event please contact: smen@swindonmind.org