Mental Health has never been more prevalent in the discourse of everyday life. This is reflected in business life too. As many as 1 in 7 people experience mental health problems at work, so the proper support must be in place to help those who may be struggling.

With MIND North Staffs as our partnering charity and April being Stress Awareness Month, we thought it was the perfect time to sit down with Group People and Culture Manager, Karen Barnacle as she discusses the culture shift in awareness of mental health over the last decade. Karen explains:

"A lot has changed in my 29 years with the business. We've always been a forward-thinking business in supporting our people, which is reflected in our ability to attract and retain some of the best talent in the industry. Central to that today is mental health, ensuring that our people are happy at work and have access to appropriate support if necessary.

"In the last year, we have cemented our commitment to raising awareness of the importance of mental health within the workplace, working to break down stigmas and make The HEX Group a welcoming, safe and comfortable place to work. This has been supplemented by several projects designed to support the mental well-being of our colleagues:

"This year, we announced the opening of two well-being rooms at our headquarters in Hixon, Staffordshire. These rooms provide colleagues with a safe and confidential space to work on their mental health, allowing everyone to get away from their busy workstations and take time away if needed. To support this, we have trained over 40 colleagues who volunteered to become Mental Health First Aiders, friendly faces around our business who offer support and guidance to anyone who might need it. We have also recently announced a 2-year charity partnership with Mind North Staffs, a fantastic charity that supports the mental health of nearly 8,000 people across Staffordshire. This partnership also further raises awareness around mental health within the business.

"The HEX Group is committed to its people. Our success depends on their happiness, skill and loyalty and promoting wellness is crucial to our colleagues' thriving and reaching their full potential. Mental health is hugely important to this commitment, and we're proud to be a business that supports every colleague at every stage in their personal journey."