As Mental Health Awareness Week approaches, from 13 to 19 May, the University is continuing its work on staff wellbeing.
“Focusing on staff wellbeing can help prevent stress and create positive working environments which is good both for individuals and employers,” says Dorileen Forbes, the University’s new Deputy Director of Health and Wellbeing (Staff).
Dorileen has been working in the field of health and wellbeing since 2007 after working in such roles for drinks company Diageo and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Fire Service.
“I’ve been in this field for over 17 years, and I think on reflection, over the first 10 to 12 years, many people viewed wellbeing as a ‘nice to do’, something seen as an add-on, or a way to use an unspent budget, without any real systematic or evidence-based approach.
“I’m so glad that, in my view, over the last five years and certainly post-pandemic, this has really shifted. There is a much more coherent understanding of wellbeing in the context of work and an acknowledgement that it’s not only good for people but it’s also a key enabler of success in an organisation. It has been a fascinating evolution to be part of and it’s a great time to be working in this space.”
Dorileen joined the University in December 2023 and says one of the reasons she was drawn to the Deputy Director Health and Wellbeing position was because it was a new post within the University: “I love the fact that I’m fortunate to be doing a completely new role – I don’t have to think about navigating my way off a path a predecessor might have taken – which gives me a real sense of freedom to bring my ideas to the table.”
Dorileen’s role so far has involved engaging with key stakeholders and colleagues from across the University, and hearing about some of the good work already happening which will all help shape her approach going forward.
“I have been busy meeting with lots of different groups and committees to engage and share our plans. It has been a great opportunity to meet people, and I am very grateful that everyone I’ve met has been so generous with their time. I think that’s a testament to any organisation when people are willing to invest time and speak to you with honesty and authenticity.”
Mental Health Framework
The University has a variety of services and resources for staff to access help to support their mental health and wellbeing. In October this year, a new Mental Health Framework will be launched to further this work.
Dorileen is leading this project which will set out the University’s commitment to staff mental health, as well as provide an overarching framework to support broader wellbeing activity going forward.
She says: “I’m focused on developing several workstreams that will translate our commitment into practical action. I’m committed to developing a broad-ranging approach to ensure that the actions we take to support mental health and wellbeing are meaningful and comprehensive.
“The Framework sets out three priority areas of ‘promoting the positive’, ‘preventing harm’ and ‘supporting ill-health’ and by setting out our approach in this way, I am able to really sharpen the focus on developing the types of programmes and interventions that will hopefully make a positive impact for people.
“I’m working towards sharing more information and specific details when we formally launch the Framework in October later this year.”
Developing a holistic approach
The new world of work brings many opportunities but also some challenges and many of us are still grappling with the demands of hybrid working, as well as other factors such as the cost of living.
Dorileen says that the new wellbeing offer will focus on a holistic approach and take these challenges into account: “We talk a lot about mental health and stress, which is absolutely valid but we must also consider other aspects of wellbeing such as our physical, social and even our financial wellbeing as they all interconnect and ultimately impact the version of ourselves we bring to work”.
Find out more
Staff Health and Wellbeing Hub | The University of Edinburgh