Speaking during Mental Health Awareness Week, running 15-21 May, Lovell said it was encouraging to see mental health still high on the agenda after it leapt to prominence during Covid.

Last year across the UK, 35% of workers called in sick because of mental health but gave another reason, according to research from healthcare provider Nuffield Health. This represents progress from 2021, when 39% of UK workers felt they had to hide days off for mental health from their employer.

Lovell told Printweek: “This number is reflected in the conversations across the industry.

“There are an increasing number of businesses talking about how a clear, consistent and effective wellbeing strategy continues to develop support networks, build resilience within their teams, making it easier for people to be honest when they are struggling.”

He warned, however, that many print businesses still lack a proper wellbeing strategy.

“It’s clear there is still a way to go, and I think collectively, as a sector, we can do more in terms of sharing staff wellbeing best practice, and focusing on the issues that matter to people,” he said.

The Printing Charity itself operates a 24-hour helpline service available to industry professionals.

Lovell added: “Sometimes life can be overwhelming, and having someone to talk to when that happens, or ideally before, is something we believe everyone in our sector should be able to access.”

Xaar, a Cambridge-based inkjet manufacturer, has implemented a number of policies to support employee wellbeing as part of its business sustainability roadmap.

One point of its wellbeing policy has been to introduce Mental Health First Aiders (MHF Aiders) to its workplace, through MHFA England.

These MHF Aiders aim to promote awareness around mental health issues and provide support to colleagues, according to Simon Allen, Xaar’s product support supervisor and a qualified MHF Aider.

He told Printweek: “I believe that it is important to understand that we as individuals are all different and deal with life’s challenges in different ways. My role is to gain and use knowledge, empathy and understanding to guide colleagues to the appropriate professional support when needed.

“We all feel better and perform better when we take a holistic approach to looking after ourselves, at work and at home, and both our company and employees benefit from the raised profile of events such as Mental Health Awareness Week.”

MHF Aiders can play a vital role in reducing stigma around mental health and building supportive cultures, but should not be relied upon in isolation, according to Vikki Cockman, MHFA England’s head of client delivery.

Speaking to Printweek, she said: “Whether they are working in the office, remotely or on the production line, MHF Aiders can spot the signs and symptoms of poor mental health and use their skills to start a conversation and signpost colleagues to appropriate support.

“Having a network of MHF Aiders can transform a workplace – but they should only ever be one part of an organisation’s mental health and wellbeing strategy. Just as important will be good job design and having a razor-sharp focus on building a positive and inclusive working culture.”

Allistair Hunter, managing director of print marketing company DS Group, can attest to the benefits of building a supportive atmosphere for employees, having not had an employee leave in the past five years.

He said: “The problem with mental health is that it’s a very mysterious subject. What could be a mental health issue for one person is a daily stress for another.

“The print industry, too, is largely made up of men, and we’re not the best at talking.”

DS Group partnered with mental health charity Mind in early 2022, after hearing concerns from employees about their own mental health.

Sponsoring several events for the charity, DS Group has raised awareness both internally and externally; employees have access to a wide spread of literature and Mind’s helpline.

Hunter added: “I’ve always said to my guys: ‘If you have any kind of problem, just come to us’. If we can help alleviate those worries, we do.”

For an in-depth look at how investing in mental health makes good business sense, read our recent briefing here.