Equality and mental health in an age of austerity - report

Report of TUC seminar February 2016

One hundred people representing a wide range of trade unions and NGOs took part in the second national TUC seminar on mental health on 3 February 2016.

The meeting had been organised to follow up a similar event held in February 2015 where the focus had been on good practice in workplace mental health. 

One of the issues emerging from discussion in 2015 was a growing awareness of the disparate impact of mental health issues on particular groups of people. In response, and working with the TUC’s four equality committees (Women’s, Race Relations, LGBT and Disabled workers) and the TUC Young Members’ Forum, the 2016 seminar was organised with expert speakers to provide information on these impacts. Additionally, there were presentations on good workplace practice around some of the equality aspects. Finally, delegates took part in working groups that led to a set of recommendations for continuing trade union action in this area.