Designing for Mental Health & Well-being in the Workplace, with Ben Channon

Bespoke Careers London recently hosted an event in collaboration with Ben Channon where he discussed the important topic of mental health and well-being within the workplace.

Architect, author and mental health ambassador, Ben was studying for his Part III qualification and working at Assael architecture when he began to notice problems arising with his mental health, resulting in some high levels of anxiety. After attending some cognitive behavioural therapy sessions, his interest in mindfulness grew and he began to branch out, becoming an ambassador for mental health in the workplace and particularly within architecture.

With one in four people suffering from a mental health issue, Ben brought out his first book ‘Happy By Design’ in 2018, with a focus on helping architects create places that people can thrive in. In the same year he helped found the Architects’ Mental Well-being Forum – where representatives from various leading architecture practices have grouped together with the RIBA and Architects Benevolent Society to discuss how to better serve those studying and practicing architecture.

We were delighted to see so many clients from the architecture and design industries join us in our London office for an extremely insightful evening learning about personal experiences with mental health issues in the workplace.

Key takeaways:

• Create a healthy working culture; empower staff, encourage healthy working hours, identify stressors, training and lead by a good example.
• Create good support systems; educate staff, consider an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and aim for a culture of openness.
• Ensure good resourcing; agree clear programmes, stand up for fair fees, encourage transparency and develop an open dialogue.
• Push for a great office environment; allow staff to suggest changes, reconsider open plan office space, design for mental health, incorporate light, nature, air, space and autonomy.
• Consider the impact of technology; invest in good software, good tech support and consider the impact that tech is having on work/life balance.
• Monitor staff well-being; through staff surveys, create safe points of contact, openness is key.
• Championing an active workplace; set up clubs/teams, motivate through charity events,encourage lunch breaks, promote active commuting.

 Useful resources:

• The Architect’s Mental Well-being Forum website: amwf.co.uk
• Mental Health First Aid England: mhfaengland.org
• ‘What Workers Want’ report, Savills
• Mental Health at Work Report 2018 (‘Seizing the Momentum’)
• CIPD:Well-being for resources for employers