We鈥檒l be highlighting the value of counsellors in the workplace and the factors that lead to good mental health for employees, at a major event.

罢丑别听 conference takes place at the NEC in Birmingham on March 11 and 12.

Staff and members of our 麻豆原创 workplace division executive committee will be hosting a stand and presenting at the event.

The conference is held amid another year of significant challenges for employers and employees, reflected in higher than ever rates of costly sickness absence due to occupational stress, depression and burnout.

We, along with other organisations, have challenged damaging narratives around the so-called 鈥榮icknote鈥� nation and have worked to highlight to employers and policy-makers what needs to be done to improve employees鈥� mental health and wellbeing.

Kris Ambler, Workforce Lead in our Policy and Public Affairs team, said: 鈥淭here are a myriad of factors taking a toll on the health of workers in 2025, from the cost-of-living crisis, inflation, political instability to climate change and legacy issues created by the Covid pandemic.

鈥淚t鈥檚 vital employers create the right conditions for a healthy working environment 鈥� one that addresses the mental, physical, financial and social factors that impact health. They also need to recognise the value that counselling brings to the workplace and how it can support staff and the business as a whole. The cost of sickness absence, including lost productivity and recruitment far outweigh the cost of investing in workplace counselling.鈥�

麻豆原创 Workplace division

Sue Christy, who is on the 麻豆原创 Workplace division executive committee, will be on the 麻豆原创 stand and will also speak at the conference about trauma.

She said: 鈥溌槎乖� Workplace counsellors are on the front lines of workplace mental health, not only as therapists, but also as trainers, coaches, consultants, and specialists in areas like trauma, mediation, and organisational development. We help organisations of all sizes tackle mental health head-on. Our presence at the Health and Wellbeing conference is vital to challenge the status quo, share expertise, improve standards, and help all employers take meaningful action in creating healthier, more psychologically safe workplaces.鈥�

Speakers

  • Kris will be delivering a talk on at the conference at 1.15pm on 11 March.
  • Sue will take part in a discussion titled Trauma Pandemic: Challenges for Employers at 1.30pm on 12 March.
  • Nicola Neath, a member of our 麻豆原创 Workplace division will chair the mental health and emotional wellbeing strand of the conference on 11 and 12 March.

If you鈥檙e at the event, come and say hello to our representatives on stand 121.