Meet the community member: Abby Lacey
To celebrate the launch of our new virtual community - it’s free! Join us here - we’re also celebrating those brave souls standing up for workplace wellbeing and helping to build more mentally healthy workplaces.
Meet Abby Lacey (she/her)
Head of Business Operations, Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership
Volunteer, advocate, walk-and-talker
What brought you to the world of advocacy for improving attitudes to mental health at work?
For the last four years I have been involved in mental health volunteering, from running Mental Health Mates Reading, a walking group for people suffering from mental ill-health, to co-hosting a local Action for Happiness online group, and even hosting my own podcast, "1 in 4" where I talk to 'regular' people about their mental health. It made sense, therefore, that I take my advocacy into the workplace!
What do you think is the key to making a workplace great for mental health and wellbeing?
Being open and talking. I have started the discussion with many colleagues and have truly found that we are not alone.
What’s one successful initiative you’ve seen in action when it comes to reducing the stigma of talking about mental health at work? Why do you think it worked so well?
I run monthly 'Lunch & Learns' on many useful topics from Microsoft packages to stretching at your desk, however the ones that are best attended are those that are on wellbeing. People really engage, and I find that sharing my own story of my mental health creates a safe forum for others to do the same, without shame. We spend so much of our lives at work, I believe that you should be able to be open and bring your whole self.
What do you think is stopping workplaces from enabling more mentally-healthy business cultures right now?
I think particularly for those who live alone or in a shared accommodation, working from home can be lonely, and that can add to mental ill health. I also think that more line managers need training on spotting the early signs of mental ill health so that they can help their teams - it's not all about time keeping and results!
What would you say to your younger self as you embarked on your first job?
Don't worry so much!
How can we discover more about you and your work?
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Visit my website
Follow me on Instagram
Check out my YouTube channel
