The Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce's video: The Role of Compassionate Leaders in Mental Wellbeing

In many ways, mental health is just like physical health - everybody has it and we need to take care of it. Good mental health means being generally able to think, feel and react in the ways that you need and want to live your life. But if you go through a period of poor mental health this can feel just as bad as a physical illness, or even worse. Over the last year, we have run a number of events focused on the topic of Mental Health. Recognising that more than ever we need to pull together, as mental wellbeing advocates and organisations looking to learn from one another and discuss the challenges inherent in building effective mental wellbeing strategies, we have created a Thames Valley Mental Wellbeing Community. Working closely with our members we invite organisations from across the Thames Valley to help establish this community. Recently, we discussed Covid-19’s impact on mental health and how businesses in the Thames Valley can support their people in this ‘new world’. At this Business Manifesto Advisory Group, we discussed the role of compassionate leaders in Mental Wellbeing. The session began with a presentation from Chris Stewart, MD of Minding Minds where talked about compassionate leadership and how we can support people with addiction. We then welcomed the Rt Hon Theresa May MP as our keynote speaker and we presented her with our Mental Wellbeing Charter. Delegates had the opportunity to ask questions and the event closed with a vote of thanks from Director General of the BCC Adam Marshall.