"By being more aware, you can identify your own vulnerability threshold, something which is specific to the individual."

To mark Mental Health Awareness Week, we sat down with Rifa Ahmad, our in-house CBT Therapist, to delve into strategies and insights on how to support mental wellness.

Please can you detail what your role entails and share a bit about your experience working as a CBT therapist?  

My role as a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist (CBT) is to assess and support in dealing with overwhelming problems that are impacting on daily functioning and have negative affect on mental and physical health. By identifying the triggers, thoughts, and reactions to distressing situations, you can practice alternative responses and develop new behaviours that are more helpful, hence changing the whole pattern. In general, the goal is to provide relief from symptoms, maintain or enhance daily functioning and improve quality of life.    

My experience of working in Mental Health for almost 25 years ranges from mild to severe and enduring presentations.  The previous 10 years have been more specific to CBT and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing – for traumas).  The positive results in witnessing recovery reinforces the passion to continue to try and reach out to as many as possible and reduce any level of distress they may be experiencing.  

I offer therapy treatment at varying levels of intensity for symptoms of depression and anxiety. These being the main although often combined in presentation and exist amongst other symptoms such as OCD, PTSD, anger management, mood disorders, poor body image, eating disorder, hypochondriasis, bereavements, low self-esteem and lack of confidence.  

How do you see the significance of Mental Health Awareness Week in promoting understanding and support for mental health?   

Mental Health Awareness Week is vital in increasing understanding of mental health. The World Health Organization says “there is no health without mental health”. Raising awareness to address the stigma and treat mental health with equal importance to physical health, treating as a whole body and not in isolation to the other. Gaining knowledge and understanding will only encourage willingness to engage in treatment and can prevent deterioration with better prognosis. Education and promotional work have many benefits: improved knowledge, higher levels of productivity, better relationships-personal and professional, good physical health and increased life expectancy.   

What advice do you have for employees looking to seek mental health support in the workplace but aren’t sure how to approach it?  

It can be hard, but try to be more self-aware. By being more aware, you can identify your own vulnerability threshold, something which is specific to the individual. This means having the awareness to know how much stress is manageable and at what point could this potentially lead to the breaking point. Prior to this happening it’s then possible to be proactive and reach out for assistance and resume normal mental health.  

It’s also important to notice any changes and not to ignore the early warning signs and symptoms.  These may include: changes in mood, sleep patterns, appetite, increase in negative thoughts, more bad days than good, poor concentration, ruminating thoughts, intrusive thoughts, catastrophizing, becoming easily irritated, argumentative, over thinking, over worrying, lack of motivation, becoming tearful, feeling isolated, disassociating, unable to function at a normal level. If anyone experiences any of these symptoms, they can consult THG's in-house GP for an assessment for suitability to be referred to me. The GP may also discuss pharmacological intervention alongside therapy.  

In your experience, what are some of the key benefits of businesses having an in-house CBT therapist, both in terms of employee well-being and overall organisational performance?  

There are so many benefits to having an in-house therapist. Unlike outsourced providers, in-house therapists work with both the organisation and the individual, spending time getting to know the company culture, and working with this as context.

Poor mental health and stress can negatively affect employees' job performance, productivity, communication and engagement with work, often resulting in sick leave. In-house therapy significantly reduces waiting times by offering a prompt response and provides a safe, confidential space to address any concerns and explore feelings, developing positive coping strategies with minimal disruptions to personal and work life. 

The benefits of improved mental health not only help the employees but also employers. Investing in their wellbeing contributes to an overall happier, healthier and more productive workforce, improving attendance, morale, motivation, and retention.