The Institution of Structural Engineers The Institution of Structural Engineers
Back to Previous

Mental Health Awareness week

Tag
Author
Date published
Price

Mental Health Awareness week is a great prompt to remind us to take time to focus on our own mental health and the mental health of others. One in four of us will experience a mental health problem each year.

The last few years have been a difficult time for many of us, with all the uncertainty that we have experienced, especially regarding our health. Yet, we still need to make sure that we provide for ourselves, our loved ones and those less fortunate which can lead to us feeling overwhelmed.

Whilst advice is plentiful about how to improve and manage your mental health, it is important to remember there is no one ‘solution’. However, making time for yourself when you can, and focusing on positive experiences and / achievements can help to calm your mind. If you are feeling overwhelmed, either inside or outside of work, it is important to seek advice from others. This could be advice from professionals about improving your mental health, or practical advice about the aspects that are causing you concern, either work or non-work related, for example managing debt, or improving relationships.

If you are comfortable to talk to colleagues about your mental health, do so, it can help you and it can help to open the conversation about mental health more generally in the workplace.

It is also important to remember your colleagues may need to talk, though they may feel uncomfortable to take the first step and bring up their concerns. As such it is important to leave space and opportunities for colleagues to talk about what they need to talk about. One of the key pieces of advice that springs to mind is to ask the second question. For example, when you meet someone and ask them how they are, do not just make this merely a social pleasantry, but really listen to the answer and how it is delivered, then ask a follow-on question. You do not have to be a qualified counsellor to help someone, just be open to listening to what they have to say in a supportive, non-judgemental way and create the opportunity for them to speak about their concerns. Don’t rush the conversation.

If you need support and are not sure where to go, you can contact the Benevolent Fund.

Philip Baker
Safety Health and Wellbeing Panel

 


Related Resources & Events

Course
<h4>Mental health first aid training 2025</h4>

Mental health first aid training 2025

Certify as a Mental Health First Aider through four tutor-led live online training sessions.

Date – 6 October 2025
Location – Online
Price – Free
Webinar
<h4>Mental health in (and for) engineering</h4>

Mental health in (and for) engineering

This online webinar promotes mental health awareness and support within the structural engineering community.

Date – 14 May 2025
Location – Online
Price – Free
Blog
<h4>Post-COVID work environment</h4>

Post-COVID work environment

This blog, authored by a member of the Safety, Health and Wellbeing Panel, details some of the challenges and benefits of the post-COVID working environment.

Date – 3 June 2024
Price – Free
Guidance
inclusive design front cover image

Inclusive design for structural engineers

Guidance on how structural engineers can make a positive contribution to the inclusive design process.

Date – 19 April 2024
Author – C Refoy et al
Price – £34.95
Blog
<h4>The role of the mental health first aider</h4>

The role of the mental health first aider

This blog describes the mental health first aider and how to take on this role.

Date – 6 February 2024
Author – Paola Casagrande
Price – Free
Training
<h4>Inclusive design for structural engineers - book launch</h4>

Inclusive design for structural engineers - book launch

This lecture discusses how structural engineers can apply the principles of inclusive design to their projects throughout the stages of the Plan of Work.

Date – 12 December 2023
Author – Various
Price – Free