Tuesday 19th October; 10am to 12pm
Please note the date for this event has changed from the 12th September.
Virtual Disability Café
76% of young job seekers have experienced poor mental health
72% of job seekers think talking to a prospective employer about a mental health issue would hurt their chances of getting the job.
91% are more likely to apply to an employer that shows a commitment to supporting employee mental health and wellbeing.
Yet, 68% said that they were not aware of anything that was offered*
This rise in poor mental health amongst students and young job seekers remains a hot topic for employers since these individuals are bright, hard- working and ambitious and provide an exceptional talent pool. However, for them to succeed employers must be able to provide the support they require and recognise their duty of care which will involve them understanding the pressures and anxieties that are experienced in the transition from education to employment. In addition, employers must be able to provide the support required to enable individuals to excel in the tough environments that they will invariably find themselves in.
During this Café, you will hear from experts who will shed light on this complex subject and help us to understand more about ‘mental health’. They will discuss areas such as the potential causes of poor mental health amongst young people, their concerns about entering employment and the challenges they face regards being open about their mental health with potential employers and requesting the support they so desperately require.
We will also look at what employers can do to encourage openness amongst their employees enabling them to provide the required levels of support. Our speakers will share their own experiences, including the support they have accessed through their employer and the importance of networks and mental health allies.
Attending this Café will enable delegates to learn more about mental ill health and in doing so take another step towards removing the negativity, fear and silence that exists around this subject. It will develop your confidence to engage in conversation with your applicants and employees, enabling you to provide the support they need to excel.
* City Mental Health Alliance (CMHA)
Speakers
Jo Forbes
With a background as a health and safety solicitor, Jo has advised some of the biggest FTSE 100 companies on compliance with health and safety law including how to manage work-related mental health risks and introduce impactful wellbeing programmes.
Now working in-house at Osborne Clarke, Jo has introduced a data driven approach to the firm's management of mental health risks in the form of a wellbeing strategy which identifies the key risk areas for poor wellbeing within work design/culture, prioritises actions, contains clear metrics for success and is reported on to Board via quantitative and qualitative data. Through this formalised approach to wellbeing governance, Jo is passionate about achieving tangible, positive change at root cause (cultural) level for their people, with budget, time and resource focussed on the areas which matter to them most.
Rosie France
Rosie helps to guide workplaces in implementing effective mental health training as a Client Development Consultant at Mental Health First Aid England. Prior to joining the Community Interest Company’s central team earlier this year, she has been an MHFA Instructor for over 5 years. She has a background in the procurement and delivery of local authority and NHS contracts and building social value strategy into health improvement services.
In 2017 Rosie joined the team of a newly commissioned workplace wellbeing programme funded by a county council. The service supported over 100 workplaces which ranged in size from micro to large and covered wide range in sectors. This experience demonstrated how impactful a robust long-term mental health strategy can be in improving people’s workplace experiences.
She is passionate about providing knowledge and skills to workplaces which enable supportive and positive conversations regarding mental health. She believes that with greater understanding, any workplace can be an inclusive and encouraging place for people living with mental ill health.
Lizzie Harker-Noor
Lizzie is an Associate in Linklaters LLP’s Pro Bono practice.
Lizzie graduated from the University of Bristol with a Bachelor of Laws undergraduate degree in 2017. Lizzie then graduated from BBP University with a Master of Laws postgraduate degree in 2019. Lizzie joined Baker McKenzie in September 2019 as a trainee solicitor and was admitted to practice in September 2021. Lizzie specialised in pensions legal practice at Baker McKenzie and advised both corporate employer and pensions trustee clients on complex pensions transactions and the pensions aspects of multi-jurisdictional M&A transactions.
Lizzie was heavily involved in Baker McKenzie's pro bono legal practice throughout her time at the firm, which inspired her decision to move into a full-time pro bono practice role at Linklaters in 2023.
Lizzie was diagnosed with ADHD and complex PTSD at the beginning of 2023. She has also cared for various family members with complex mental health disorders throughout her life. The symptoms of Lizzie's mental health disorders, without diagnosis or medical support until age 26, presented a huge challenge to her mental and physical wellbeing throughout her academic studies and early legal career. This ultimately resulted in Lizzie experiencing burnout and acute stress. In late 2022, Lizzie agreed with her employer to take some time out from work to seek the diagnosis and medical support that has resulted in her recovering from burn out and finding a new lease of life.
Lizzie has experienced fantastic mental health support from her employers but is acutely aware that there is, more generally, a lack of open conversation within the workplace on the impact of disability and neurodiversity on mental wellbeing, such that employees seeking support often find themselves 'muddling through' the process, having to educate their employer on their disability and the reasonable adjustments required and, all too often, giving up on seeking support altogether because the process is too disorganised and ill-informed. As such, Lizzie is a passionate advocate of encouraging open conversations on mental wellbeing within the workplace and encouraging employers to develop well-informed and inclusive mental wellbeing policies.
Ben Lawson
Ben recently graduated from the University of Warwick with a BA in Politics, Philosophy and Law. He is returning to Warwick this academic year to study an MA in International development. Ben is also a member of the university's American football team, the Warwick Wolves.
Ben has suffered with mental ill health for a number of years. Whilst at his secondary school, he began working towards eliminating the stigma surrounding mental health in young people through sharing his experiences, and giving others the opportunity to share theirs. Ben now works closely with a coach at his American football team, and the wider British American football community, to increase awareness surrounding mental health in sport and eliminating the stereotypes that surround sports such as American football. He also does talks and events on different aspects of mental health, both to increase awareness, and to educate people further."
Caroline Lindner
Caroline is an experienced senior recruitment, HR, communications, and careers education professional. For 20 years, Caroline worked in the legal sector for Linklaters, Hogan Lovells, Allen & Overy and Norton Rose Fulbright, primarily in graduate recruitment. She has a proven track record of developing award-winning national recruitment brand campaigns and has worked on a variety of widening participation and diversity projects during her career, including with MyPlus. Caroline is passionate about equality, diversity and inclusion, and in 2018 she co-founded Norton Rose Fulbright’s first mental health employee network, Breathe.
In early 2021, Caroline changed direction, and joined King’s College London as a Careers Consultant, supporting Law students and graduates. In April 2023, Caroline joined Arden University as a Careers Consultant, supporting students and graduates across a range of degree disciplines, as well as having strategic responsibility for the work undertaken with the Schools of Law and Health and Care Management, respectively.
Caroline is Mental Health First Aid trained and is also a part-time student at the University of Huddersfield where she is undertaking a Postgraduate Level 7 qualification in Career Development and Employability.
MyPlus Recruiters’ Club Platinum and Gold members are entitled to 2 complimentary places. Additional complimentary places may be available depending on room capacity, with priority being given to Platinum members. Places may be purchased by Silver members at a reduced price of £50 +VAT
Non-members may purchase places at a price of £95 + VAT. Contact lise@myplusconsulting.com to purchase places.
MyPlus run a variety of these types of events for employers. For details of the different types visit our events page. For details of forthcoming Recruiters’ Club events taking place visit our events calendar page.
