Swindon’s LIFT Psychology service is taking part in an awareness event with local employers on the issue of depression.

Organized by the Swindon Mindful Employer Network the event will bring together businesses of all sizes and sectors to consider best practice on mental health issues.

The session, Depression: What Employers Need to Know, will help to dispel the myths and stigma surrounding this particular mental illness and provide guidance and advice to local businesses on how to support staff suffering from clinical depression.

Depression affects people in different ways and can cause a wide variety of symptoms. They range from lasting feelings of sadness and hopelessness, to losing interest in the things you used to enjoy and feeling very tearful.

Many people with depression also have symptoms of anxiety. There can be physical symptoms too, such as feeling constantly tired, sleeping badly, having no appetite and complaining of various aches and pains. The severity of the symptoms can vary.

Guest speaker will be Mandy Rutter who is Head of Resilience and Trauma Management Services at Validium. Mandy returns to Swindon after taking part in a Swindon Mindful Employer Network event several years ago.

The awareness event includes an interview and Q&A session with special guest Cormac MacMahon who is News Editor at Heart FM. Melanie Richens of the UK College of Personal Development will chair the occasion. Also taking part will be Helen Baker and Karen Holman from the Swindon branch of the Depression Alliance which is managed by Swindon Mind and currently provides a self help group.

Joining the list of contributors will be Alex Stirzaker from LIFT Psychology which supports local people with mental health issues. The service has been providing psychological services to the people of Swindon for the past 20 years and pioneered Primary Care Psychology services within the country. LIFT Psychology is also a self-referral service and the local community can book appointments on their website or through their GP surgeries.

Alex says of her contribution to the awareness event: “I am looking forward to taking part in this session which aims to support employees and employers on mental health issues. Many people in our local community have been diagnosed with depression but remain active and successful employees.”

David Latham who manages the network says: “We are very pleased to have Alex involved. LIFT provide an essential and excellent service locally and I know businesses are keen to hear from them regards the support they offer to Swindon people. I can already announce that we are fully booked for this session which has proved incredibly popular with the business community.”

This event is to take place on Monday 21st November at Jurys Inn Swindon.