In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Week (9-15 May), ICMIF member and rural insurer, NFU Mutual recently offered employees the opportunity to attend a live webinar session run by The Wellbeing Project.

The session, which took place on the 23 May, explored the meaning of mental wellbeing; common conditions and symptoms; how to recognise the early signs of strain; how to build an awareness of risk and protective factors; and how to seek help if you need it.

Shaunna Bytheway, Claims Team Leader at NFU Mutual and one of the 27 NFU Mutual employees who attended the session, said: “The session covered a range of topics from recognising a dip in mental wellbeing to resources that aid positive mental health. I loved the session, which left me more informed about Mental Health in a short space of time. It’s great to see that NFU Mutual take employee wellbeing and mental health seriously and is part of what makes it a great place to work.”

Senior Business Systems Improvement Analyst Gareth, another attendee, said: “The session helped me reflect on certain behaviours and engage a more positive outlook on things. It also helped me to understand there are certain things that you can control and those should be a greater area of focus.”

As well as looking to support its people, NFU Mutual has provided more than GBP 2m of funding to the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust in 2020 and 2021 to support charities across the UK that reach out to the isolated and vulnerable in our communities.

One of those charities is Samaritans, which has received GBP 200,00 from the Charitable Trust over 2020 and 2021 to help the organisation’s response to the impact of the pandemic, including reaching those most at risk and those in rural communities.

Beth Pritchard, Community Engagement Consultant at NFU Mutual, said: “The pandemic has left many people facing loneliness and isolation, and we have been aware of the need to champion organisations across the country who are supporting mental wellbeing.

“We’re proud to be supporting Samaritans, raising awareness of the support they offer around the clock. Finding a safe, non-judgmental space to explore their feelings could be a person’s first step on their journey to looking after their recovery.”

Julie Bentley, CEO at Samaritans, said: “In recent years, the world has faced some very uncertain and concerning times. Anyone can find themselves struggling to cope and needing some emotional support or someone to listen. Samaritans has been there for people throughout the pandemic, but we couldn’t function without the support of funders like the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust. It’s never been more important that Samaritans are there for people 24/7. When life is tough, Samaritans are there to listen.”