Corporate partnerships: young people are our future

Did you know that mental health challenges are the number one cause of sickness absences in the workplace? And that’s not all. Statistically, those suffering with these challenges are more likely to hide the real reason why they’re absent.

It’s no secret that there’s a real taboo when it comes to talking about mental health in the workplace. There’s a genuine fear that being honest about how you are feeling; and any mental health challenge you are experiencing could suggest that you are no longer capable of doing your job.

This is why it is so important that employers are actively promoting good mental health in the workplace; and taking steps to ensure that there is an open conversation around mental wellbeing and recognising when their colleagues need support.

 

Your Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

The term Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) refers to actions taken by a business; which are intended to have a positive influence on the world.

There are all sorts of examples of CSR including reducing your carbon footprint, volunteering within your local community, and donating to charity.

CSR has many benefits such as building public trust and a better business reputation. This is why here at the Charlie Watkins Foundation; we talk to businesses and encourage them to consider supporting our work as part of their CSR.

 

Young people are our future

Young people are the future.  Some are already in employment and others are future employees.  They are future employers and our future leaders. According to a paper in the British Journal of Psychiatry in February 2021, around 7% of children have attempted suicide by the age of 17 and almost one in four say they have self-harmed in the past year. Sadly, the numbers continue to grow at an alarming rate. Suicide in young people is a very real problem; and we all have a responsibility to help and support those who are struggling.

The Charlie Watkins Foundation supports a variety of charities who are actively trying to help young people who are  struggling with their mental health by providing funding and help.

From the beginning of 2022, we have been funding a second school navigator role with the Youth Enquiry Service (YES), which will help a huge number of students. We have also funded a set of transition guides for vulnerable young people making the move to university with the Charlie Waller Trust; and funded an assessment tool with Student Minds to recognise and reward universities seeking to gain the Charter Award Scheme accreditation as defined by Student Minds’ University Mental Health Charter.

 

How we can work together

By choosing to support the Charlie Watkins Foundation, we can offer you a corporate partnership profile on our website which links back to your own website, showing all our visitors that you are supporting our vital work.

We will also work with your PR team to provide tailored communications to demonstrate your commitment to your CSR; and provide you with website and social media graphics that show your support to us.  We can also help with fundraising events and support the objectives of your mental health committee. If you’d like to find out more about how you can support us as a corporate partnership, get in contact with us. We’d love to hear from you.