Managed Service

The word depression is used in many different ways. Everyone can feel sad when bad things happen. However, everyday sadness is not depression. People may have a short-term depressed mood, but most manage to cope and soon recover without treatment. A clinical depression lasts for at least two weeks and affects the person's behaviour and has physical and psychological (emotional and cognitive) effects. It also interferes with their ability to work and to have satisfying personal relationships. Depression is a common but serious illness and can be recurrent (people recover but develop another episode later). Symptoms of Depression The World Health Organisation states that a person who is clinically depressed will have at least two of the following symptoms for at least two weeks: An unusually sad mood that does not go away Loss of enjoyment and interest in activities that used to be enjoyable Lack of energy and tiredness People who are depressed can also have other symptoms such as: Loss of confidence in themselves or poor self-esteem Feeling guilty when they are not really at fault Wishin they were dead/suicidal thoughts Bleak and pessimistic views of the future Having difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much Loss of interest in food or eating too much, leading to either loss of weight or putting on weight How many symptoms someone has depends on how severe their depression is. Here is a guide to the severity of depression: Mild depression: 4 of the 10 symptoms over the past two weeks. Moderate depression: 5-7 of the 10 symptoms over the past two weeks Severe depression: 8 out of the 10 symptoms over the past two weeks. Where to go for help? We have put together a list of helpful resources and organisations that can help you or someone you know if they are suffering from depression or any mental health issue. Source: MHFA England

Stress is everywhere and whilst a little stress is OK and some can actually be beneficial, too much stress can wear you down and make you sick, both mentally and physically. Stress can come in many different forms: Physical stress - late nights, binge drinking, illicit drug use, lack of routine, poor diet, illness Environment stress - poor housing, social isolation unemployment, new environments to adjust to such as moving house or holidays Emotional stress - relationship problems, peer pressure, expressed emotion within the family home, conflicting cultural values and beliefs, leaving home, marriage Acute life events - bereavements, physical illness/accident, arrest/imprisonment, fights, pregnancy and childbirth, rape and assault. Chronic stress - accommodation problems, debts, prolonged use of drugs and alcohol. Mental health issues can also become a chronic source of stress in and of themselves. The first step to controlling stress is to know the symptoms of stress but recognising stress symptoms may be harder than you think. Most of us are so used to being stressed, we often don't know we are stressed until we are at the breaking point. What are the symptoms of stress? Stress can affect all aspects of your life, including your emotions, behaviours, thinking ability, and physical health. No part of the body is immune as illustrated in the infographic above. But, because people handle stress differently, symptoms of stress can vary. Symptoms can be vague and maybe the same as those caused by medical conditions. So it is important to discuss them with your doctor. You may experience any of the following symptoms of stress. Stress in the workplace The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has identified six main sources of stress in a workplace environment, which impact not only individual health but also organisational health. These are: 1. Demands (workload, finances, work pattern and work environment) 2. Control (how much say the employee has in the way they work) 3. Support (from the organisation, line manager and colleagues) 4. Relationship (promoting positive working to avoid conflict and dealing with unacceptable behaviour) 5. Role (if employees understand their role and whether the organisation ensures that they do not have conflicting roles) 6. Change (how change is managed and communicated) ​Help is available Stress is a part of life, what matters most is how you handle it. The best thing you can do to prevent stress overload and the health consequences that come with it is to know your stress symptoms and ask for help when it is needed. We have put together a list of helpful resources and organisations that can help you or someone you know if they are suffering from stress or any mental health issue. Sources: MHFA England, WebMD

Mental health issues in the workplace are common, research indicates that one person in four experiences some form of mental health issue in the course of a year, and estimates suggest that at least one in six workers experience depression, anxiety or stress-related issues at any one time. Throughout the course of any person's life, it is highly likely that they will either develop mental ill-health themselves or have close contact with someone who does. There are many different conditions that are recognised as mental illnesses. The more common types include: Depression Anxiety Eating disorders Self-harm Psychosis Substance misuse In the coming weeks, we will be looking at each of these conditions in more detail. Please click here to access our useful mental health resources.

Meridian is holding a recruitment event in Glasgow on the 18-19th October to recruit Disability Assessors. Date: 18th & 19th October Timings: 18th: 9.30am – 5.00pm 19th: 9am – 4pm Address: Hilton Garden Inn Finnieston Quay, Glasgow, G3 8HN Click here to book your place at the event. We are looking to hire for the following positions: Registered Nurse (RGN, RMN, RNLD) - Disability Assessor Occupational Therapist - Disability Assessor Paramedic - Disability Assessor Physiotherapist - Disability Assessor We will be hiring for the following locations: All locations in the surrounding area of the event location Requirements Must be NMC or HCPC registered Must have at least 2 years post qualification experience Competent IT user Willingness and ability to learn and develop What to wear Dress code is Casual (come as you are, but please be presentable). How to get to the event To find the Hilton Garden Inn Glasgow City Centre hotel from the M8 motorway: 1. Exit at Junction 19 and follow signs for the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre 2. Proceed towards the SECC main entrance. Hilton Garden Inn will be on your left, approximately 200 yards before the SECC. Click here to book your place at the event.

Mental health issues in the workplace are common, especially depression, anxiety and problems related to stress. Research indicates that one person in four experiences some form of mental health issue in the course of a year, and estimates suggest that at least one in six workers experience depression, anxiety or stress-related issues at any one time. Throughout the course of any person's life, it is highly likely that they will either develop mental ill health themselves, or have close contact with someone who does. A large part of our daily lives is spent at work, so chances are high that at some point we will encounter mental ill health in our staff, colleagues or ourselves. Mental health in the workplace and the wellbeing of our employees is very close to our hearts at Meridian and we recognise that wellbeing affects both work life and life outside of work and therefore, to be fully engaged and enjoy coming to work every day, people need to achieve a healthy balance between the two. Looking after our people’s wellbeing is extremely important to us, so we try and do this in a number of ways. All of our directors and managers are trained in mental health awareness and we have two dedicated mental health first aiders that all staff can call upon. Employees and their families have access to an employee assistance programme which is a confidential helpline and counselling service, manned by trained counsellors, that offers advice and guidance on a vast range of topics including relationships, finances, legal matters and health concerns. We organise regular wellbeing activities for staff such as yoga, meditation and mindfulness sessions and pizza and massage days. We recognise how important it is for people to have flexibility in their working lives and our managers are empowered to support ad hoc flexibility at team/branch level. We also have a range of more formal flexible working arrangements in place such as reduced hours and staggered start and finish times. The mental wellbeing of our temps is also very important to us; research has shown that the expansion of the so-called gig economy, where flexible patterns of employment are more common, is leading to a rise in mental health issues in temporary workers. With this in mind, we have created a page of useful mental health resources on our website that both our employees and our temporary workers have access to. Please click here to access our useful mental health resources.

The following steps have been researched and developed by the New Economics Foundation and the Mental Health Charity Mind. Connect There is strong evidence that indicates that feeling close to, and valued by, other people is a fundamental human need and one that contributes to functioning well in the world. It’s clear that social relationships are critical for promoting wellbeing and for acting as a buffer against mental ill health for people of all ages. With this in mind, try to do something different today and make a connection. Talk to someone instead of sending an email Speak to someone new Ask how someone’s weekend was and really listen when they tell you Put five minutes aside to find out how someone really is Give a colleague a lift to work or share the journey home with them. Be active Physical activity is associated with lower rates of depression and anxiety across all age groups. Exercise is essential for slowing age-related cognitive decline and for promoting well-being. But it doesn’t need to be particularly intense for you to feel good - slower-paced activities, such as walking, can have the benefit of encouraging social interactions as well providing some level of exercise. Today, why not get physical? Here are a few ideas: Take the stairs not the lift Go for a walk at lunchtime Walk into work - perhaps with a colleague – so you can ‘connect’ as well Get off the bus one stop earlier than usual and walk the final part of your journey to work Organise a work sporting activity Have a kick-about in a local park Do some ‘easy exercise’, like stretching, before you leave for work in the morning Walk to someone’s desk instead of calling or emailing. Take notice Reminding yourself to ‘take notice’ can strengthen and broaden awareness. Studies have shown that being aware of what is taking place in the present directly enhances your well-being and savouring ‘the moment’ can help to reaffirm your life priorities. Heightened awareness also enhances your self-understanding and allows you to make positive choices based on your own values and motivations. Take some time to enjoy the moment and the environment around you. Here are a few ideas: Get a plant for your workspace Have a ‘clear the clutter’ day Take notice of how your colleagues are feeling or acting Take a different route on your journey to or from work Visit a new place for lunch. Learn Continued learning through life enhances self-esteem and encourages social interaction and a more active life. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the opportunity to engage in work or educational activities particularly helps to lift older people out of depression. The practice of setting goals, which is related to adult learning in particular, has been strongly associated with higher levels of wellbeing. Why not learn something new today? Here are a few more ideas: Find out something about your colleagues Sign up for a class Read the news or a book Set up a book club Do a crossword or Sudoku Research something you’ve always wondered about Learn a new word. Give Participation in social and community life has attracted a lot of attention in the field of wellbeing research. Individuals who report a greater interest in helping others are more likely to rate themselves as happy. Research into actions for promoting happiness has shown that committing an act of kindness once a week over a six-week period is associated with an increase in wellbeing. Source: Mind & New Economics Foundation

Public Health England (PHE) has today launched its new mental health campaign, Every Mind Matters. Through a new digital self-care tool, it aims to support all adults to feel more confident in understanding mental health and to take actions to improve and manage how they are feeling. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England, the company that trained Meridian's Managers on Mental Health Awareness was a key informing partner of Every Mind Matters, having worked closely with PHE for the past two years to support the development of the digital tool and its pilot launch in the West Midlands. Simon Blake, Chief Executive of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England said: “We are delighted to be supporting the launch of Every Mind Matters, as one of the campaign’s informing partners. “Every Mind Matters resonates strongly with our vision to improve the mental health of the nation by equipping people with the knowledge, confidence and skills to look after their own and others’ mental health and wellbeing.” “We are a social enterprise focused on empowering people to access mental health support and we believe the Every Mind Matters tool will be an important self-care resource for the entire population.” The launch comes as new PHE data reveals that more than eight in ten (83%) people have experienced early signs of poor mental health including feeling anxious, stressed, having low mood or trouble sleeping in the last 12 months. While these can be a natural response to life’s challenges, they can become more serious if people don’t take action – and many wait too long. Duncan Selbie, Chief Executive of PHE said: “Our health is affected by our circumstances, including having a job, friends and a roof over our heads. Anxiety, stress, low mood and trouble sleeping can affect everyone. Every Mind Matters aims to help people to better handle life’s ups and downs.” Developed with clinical and academic experts, national mental health organisations, and input from people with experience of poor mental health, the free NHS-approved tool asks the user questions to identify the type of issues they are facing and generates a self-care action plan to support their mental health and wellbeing. This consists of simple, practical self-care actions that anyone can build into their daily routine to look after their mental health – such as reframing unhelpful thoughts, breathing exercises and increasing physical activity. All of these actions have well-evidenced benefits for improving and maintaining good mental health, which can help people to get more out of life, feel and function better, have more positive relationships and manage difficult times – now and in the future. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “Every Mind Matters will benefit us all with an accessible tool to help manage our wellbeing at the click of a button. "It will offer vital support to those living with a mental health condition and give each of us valuable and personalised tips on how to better cope with life’s daily struggles, while contributing to tackling the stigma that can still surround mental health.” Source: MHFA England

This week is Dyspraxia Awareness week (6th - 12th October) Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), also known as Dyspraxia, is a common disorder affecting fine and/or gross motor coordination in children and adults. It is a life-long neurological condition people with it will never grow out of it. In simple terms, their brains work differently from the mass majority of people. It can affect everyone differently, some people may have most symptoms while others may have only a few. It does not affect a person’s intelligence, they are as intellectually capable as anyone else. The condition suffers from a lack of awareness, recognition and research which means people with it can often feel lost and alone. It is rarely diagnosed before the age of 5 and often overlooked into adulthood. Frequently misdiagnosed as dyslexia or even just clumsiness. Click here to visit the Dyspraxia Foundation website for more information.

Meridian Business Support has moved its Taunton operation to state of the art new premises in the centre of Taunton. The move was made to facilitate planned growth in 2019 and moving into 2020. Staff numbers in the team will be increasing due to growth in the Commercial and Industrial sectors and the new offices will provide a better working environment for employees and is in an easily accessible and well-known location. The modern, open plan premises at Deane House will also act as a central meeting place for Meridian’s South West based employees, with a new training room that can also be used by clients. Meridian aims to be the agency of choice in each of its geographical locations with clients and candidates alike and the firm has plans to grow in its current sector of Office & Professional, temporary and permanent recruitment and also to expand its Industrial and Technical presence and expertise. The team has already increased by 25% and the company is looking to develop into further markets to support local businesses across the South West. The branch will have its official opening on 3rd October when the ribbon will be cut by Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts, Leader of SWT. Caroline Drew, Taunton Branch Manager commented: “I am delighted that Meridian has invested in the future of the Taunton Branch. Meridian has successfully placed numerous candidates with local employers both on a temporary and permanent basis, the move will allow us to continue to build our presence within Taunton and the surrounding areas. The move to Deane House will allow us to be more accessible to both candidates and clients within the local community, providing them with a full range of recruitment solutions.” Leader of SWT, Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts, said: “Deane House is a superb facility within the heart of the community where we able to offer local people greater convenience by having public services under one roof. The recently upgraded building also has space to accommodate partners in the private sector and I am delighted to welcome the first of those, Meridian Business Support, to Deane House.” Click here to contact the branch.

Our Taunton Branch moved on the 19th September into an office at Deane House. They have been based in Taunton for the past 20 years and have over 60 years of recruitment experience between the team! Here is a brief introduction to the members of our Taunton team: Caroline Drew (Branch Manager) Caroline has worked in the local recruitment market for the last 27 years, in both temp and perm, commercial and industrial sectors. She has worked with some of the largest local employers and also helps new startups grow. She has been with Meridian for nearly 5 years and believes it's the variety that makes recruitment the most rewarding job. Samantha Beale (Temporary Commercial Consultant) Sam currently looks after the Commercial Temp desk but has experience of temp and perm in the industrial and commercial sectors. Prior to this, she worked in Marketing and IT. Lucy Wiltshire (Permanent Consultant) Lucy has been in recruitment for 15 years and has experience of both temp and perm recruitment. She has been with Meridian for over 3 years as the Taunton Branch Permanent Consultant. She has expert knowledge of the local area and enjoys working with some great clients! Aimee Clist (Temporary Industrial Consultant) Aimee is the newest member of the Taunton team having only started in August but she has already become part of the team and started to build up her own base of candidates and clients. Wendy Small (Branch Administrator) Wendy is the go-to lady for all things payroll and compliance-based. She makes sure that everyone gets paid correctly and on time each week as well as making sure all our workers have the correct legal documents before we can send them out to work. Click here to contact the branch.