Mental Health Champion, Coach and Consultant
Our mental health affects how we function on a daily basis.
Mental health or mental ill-health isn’t visible in itself. That’s the same for many physical health conditions. However, its impact and affect often is, and experienced, in our verbal and non-verbal communications, behavioural and physiological changes.
We are all human: we all have physical health and mental health. So, let’s look after our mental health as we do our physical health. To do that we need to raise mental health awareness; to do that, we need to be able to talk about it. Find out how, and ways, to look after it too, recognise our ‘signs of change’, when some ‘TLC’, extra support, or action is needed.
The same applies to mental ill health, illness too. I say that because in my experience when talking about mental health, many silently, unconsciously or subconsciously add the word ‘illness’.
Understanding the difference between mental health and mental ill health is therefore vitally important on many levels.
So, I’m talking both. That's what I do by the variety of possibilities on offer.
“You’ve had a big impact on building awareness and openness around mental well-being.”
Talking increases our ability to better understand mental health and mental ill-health, and the impact of both on individuals’ daily lives and, personal and professional performance.
I share my wealth of personal and professional expertise, and experiences from a long and successful financial services career, including those as HSBC’s mental health committee Chair, driving ‘change the bank’ mental health initiatives forward under the Time to Change agenda.
The aim:
greater access to mental health.
recognition it’s a business asset.
Business to invest in building and creating mental health supportive workplaces.
“Great presentation – you raised understanding and awareness [of mental health].”
“Thank you for the initiatives that have been run in relation to mental health.”
“Thank you for your work in helping to make HSBC a better place to work for people affected by mental health issues.”
“It’s clear there’s no silver bullet, but understanding and awareness and ensuring all staff are aware of the great support available are my two key takeaways.”
“Sylvia’s sheer drive and determination has made mental health a more talked about and acceptable subject.”