EP Food Service Action Issue

It’s time to talk about…
Mental Health in the food service sector
Stephanie Hamilton, Managing Director Food and Hospitality at ISS explains why
now is the time to talk and listen about mental health.
Seeing Prince Harry, Prince
William and Catherine, Duchess of
Cambridge all smiling as they raced
around the London Olympic Park
track in February 2017, brings a smile to my
face too. Upon reading the numerous news
articles there is a real sense of purpose to
this PR opportunity, where they are working
to highlight the need to talk about mental
health and remove any stigma attached; I find
this initiative both commendable and also
very necessary.
I am really passionate about our key
people objective at ISS, which is to provide
a safe and healthy work environment for
everyone. This is based on the ISS Values
and reflects our Leadership Principles – to
look after both the physical and mental
well-being of everyone in our employment.
In its simplest form, this is about ensuring all
of our people are returned happy and safe to
their family at the end of their working day.
On Thursday 2nd February 2017, we all
had a chance to play a role in looking out
for our colleagues’ mental health. Time
to Change, an organisation that focuses
on supporting people with mental illness,
encourages people who have mental health
problems to discuss them openly without
fear, during a day entitled #time to talk.
Research shows that conversations about
mental health change lives. The #timetotalk
Day initiative encourages us all to speak
up about mental illness and to highlight
any worries or concerns people may have.
Organisations across the UK were invited to
take part – as did we – revealing some very
brave and personal stories.
16 | Foodservice Action | April 2017