Employers across Cumbria are demonstrating a genuine desire to rid their workplaces of stigma and encourage staff to talk openly about their mental health.

Today as part of the national Time to Talk day, those who are experiencing mental health problems are being urged to seek health without being judged.

Companies who sign up to the Better Health at Work awards scheme commit to improve the overall health of their employees, physically and psychologically.

This week, health advocates from 13 Cumbrian organisations gathered at a special ceremony, hosted by Cumbria County Council in Carlisle, to receive their bronze, silver and gold awards.

It was a chance to network and share success stories, with mental health high on the agenda.

Ken Gyles said the Better Health at Work scheme is growing each year, with more employers keen to come on board.

He said he has now trained hundreds of mental health first aiders across Cumbria, who are their to support colleagues and ensure they get the support they need.

With 15 suicides nationally every day, he said it is vital to get banish the stigma that still surrounds the subject of mental health, ensuring people feel able to come forward and seek help early.

“It is about getting employers to think differently about how they look after their staff. They are now sending out really strong messages around health and wellbeing.

He said: “We are all surrounded by people who are trying to cope with the pressures and stresses of life. They don’t always know how to or where to turn for help.

“We are training staff in workplaces not just to look after themselves, but also help colleagues, friends and family. In a lot of the workplaces we are involved with, the employees are often mainly men and we can be worse at talking about our mental health.”

Colin Cox, Cumbria’s director of public health, said: “There is a lot of focus on health and safety in but in the grand scheme of things we have very few work place accidents compared to absences due to excessive stress and pressure.

“We have got to start thinking about mental and physical health as two sides of the same coin.”

Bev Graham said part of its success has been signing up to the Time to Change movement, to end mental health discrimination.

She said: “One in three people experience mental health issues while in employment. Right now someone we all know will be experiencing problems.”

Those receiving gold, silver or bronze awards were Cumbria County Council, Pladis (McVities); Nestlé; TSP Engineering; Sealy; Iggesund; NHS North Cumbria; Cumbria Partnership health trust; Morecambe Bay hospitals; along with Carlisle, Eden, Allerdale and South Lakeland councils.