Positive Mental Health

The University of Bolton has a holistic approach to positive mental health and wellbeing.  Our aims are to foster a positive attitude and environment to staff with mental health and work related stress problems. The University will provide necessary training, development and support to both staff and managers to enable them to undertake their roles and responsibilities in relation to staff with mental health difficulties so that they can do this efficiently, effectively and with confidence; as well as providing guidance and support to individual staff experiencing work related stress.

The most common mental health problems are anxiety and depression. Prolonged anxiety can lead to health problems, anxiety state and panic attacks. Depression can affect anyone regardless of culture, age, or background. It can often be related to difficult life events such as bereavement, relationship and job difficulties, and physical illness. 

In the workplace, one of the common causes of mental health issues is stress. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) define stress as:

 "An adverse reaction a person has to excessive pressures or other types of demands placed upon them" .

On 3 November 2004, the HSE launched Management Standards| and tools to help employers and employees work together to prevent excessive work-related stress.  To this end, the University of Bolton, managers and all employees have a role to play. All employees have a responsibility to work with the university to safeguard their own physical and psychological well being. Our policy and procedures seek to encourage staff, students and visitors to come forward with their concerns that will be dealt with in complete confidence, impartiality and with sensitivity.

Tackling personal stress is the individual's responsibility.  It is  the University's responsibility to introduce measures to identify, prevent or reduce potential triggers for stress in the workplace.

Spiritual wellbeing emphasises the wellbeing of one's inner self and may or may not be connected to a specific religious belief; although the spiritual traditions of many religions contain the wisdom about how to achieve such a state. It is a state in which one feels, in the words of the Christian mystic, Julian of Norwich; that "all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well".

Although connected with physical and mental wellbeing, it is possible to experience an inner peace when other parts of one's life are in turmoil.

Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect at work. The University aims to ensure that no employee is subjected to harassment or bullying. If you think that you are experiencing harassment or being bullied at work, or you have witnessed this happening to a colleague, contact a Dignity and Respect Adviser or Personnel colleague to advise you of the options under the Dignity and Respect at Work policy where staff are encouraged to raise issues through the Individual Staff Grievance procedure to enable successful resolution.  Our policy and procedures incorporate mediation throughout this process.    

Click below for information on stress busters and to read the University's stress policy. 

Stress Busters|	Policies