This event took place in January 2025. Regrettably, the end of year is also a time when people face more challenges around alcohol, over-consumption and other behavioural dependencies.
Whether to celebrate, fit in, or cope, many turn to alcohol in their desire for joy, belonging, socialising or relieve anxiety, pain and stress.
The season coincides with many firms organising social gatherings, events and work parties, some of which are centred around alcohol consumption (e.g. Office “Christmas Drinks”).
After the indulgences around the festive season and holidays, Dry January® is an opportunity for many to challenge themselves, go alcohol-free and unleash long-term change.
The DP’s Mental Health workstream want to raise awareness of some of the complexities around these issues.
We hosted a panel discussion around dependency behaviours and other substance abuse, and what member firms can do to raise awareness and support colleagues.
The virtual panel discussion with 4 experts designed to understand the effects that substance misuse, in particular around alcohol, has on both physical and mental health, and to discuss the effect that this has on a workplace.
WARNING: The content of the webinar may be emotionally challenging. We acknowledge that these topics can be deeply sensitive and may provoke strong emotions. Our goal is to educate and engage with the complexities of the human experience. If you find any of our content distressing, we encourage you to approach the recording of this event and its content with care.
The aims of the event included:
- Demystify some of the concepts around addictions, dependency behaviours and reduce the stigma associated with it, so that more individuals suffering are willing to open up and seek help
- Understand how language and understanding of the causes around these topics are evolving
- Share the lived experience of a professional in the investments and savings industry, and highlight a road to recovery
- Equip HR professionals with tools on how to address these types of issues when they arise
- Highlight best practices as shared by the MindForward Alliance
Speakers included:
- Brian Heyworth: Chair of Mind Forward Alliance, and Managing partner and CEO of Lansdowne Partners
- Poppy Jaman: Founder and Executive Vice Chair of Mind Forward Alliance and former CEO of City Mental Health Alliance and Mental Health First Aid England.
- Dr Wolfgang Seidl: Partner, Workplace Health Consulting Leader, Global Mental Health Consulting Leader at Mercer Marsh Benefits, Trainer and Professional Speaker.
- Max Cohen: Trainer, facilitator and therapist, from The Natural Psychiatrist.
- MODERATOR: Dr Judith Mohring, organisational psychiatrist with 25 years’ experience in all aspects of mental health. She studied medicine at Cambridge and London universities.
