‘Doing something’ about mental health is daunting.

Whether you work in Internal Comms, HR, Wellbeing or Health and Safety, it feels complicated. Personal. Sensitive. Confusing.

I know the impact that simplicity, humanity and empathy can have. The most powerful conversation someone has ever had with me about my mental health was to simply say: “I don’t think you’re OK.”

It had a huge impact on me. It made me realise I wasn’t OK. I started to learn about what might be going on, how I could help myself, what treatment was available.

That was two years ago this month. Now I want to help you understand mental health, how it can affect you at work and how you can improve your communications around mental health at work - from talking to people you're worried about to designing a comms campaign or supporting managers.

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You’ll hear directly from mad and sad club members to help you understand how mental health issues can affect someone at work.

This won't be death by powerpoint - in fact, there will be no powerpoint! We'll talk, brainstorm, action plan and problem solve as a small group.

You’ll come away with:

• A better understanding of mental health issues at work - how to spot the signs and how mental health issues can affect a person at work
• An understanding of the audiences you need to consider when talking about mental health at work
• Ideas and a template action plan to start talking about mental health at work that we will have built together
• Tips and tricks to help you manage your own mental wellbeing at work

We will be at the fantastic SMUG cafe and shop in Angel - using their upstairs workshop space. It's light, bright and definitely not your usual boring boardroom setting!

mad and sad classes are run by me, Jo Hooper - hi!

I spent 11 years in the Communications industry, latterly as Head of Corporate Communications, so I understand how to run compelling comms campaigns. I also know all about the insidious power of mental ill health. I struggled to manage my anxiety and depression as well as thriving in my job for years and in 2019 decided to make a change.

I set up mad and sad club to help people and organisations understand, talk about and tackle mental health at work. I'm honest, practical and straightforward - as is the advice I give at my mad and sad classes!

Please note, we will have a walk to find our own lunch nearby on the day - I find it really important to get some fresh air and have a break! And that also means we won't have to suffer soggy sandwiches!