TV presenter Gabby Logan, and former Premier League and Welsh international footballer Robbie Savage are fronting a Legal & General campaign targeting the stigma surrounding mental health in the workplace.
The campaign, called “Not a Red Card Offence”, uses a video to mimic a football TV show analysis section to highlight the importance of creating a workplace environment that encourages open discussions about mental health issues and shows the roles managers and employers can help in supporting those suffering.
Recent research by Legal & General shows employees still feel uncomfortable talking about mental health issues in the workplace. Only 4 per cent of 2,000 employees surveyed who have experienced depression and 5 per cent who have experienced anxiety said they felt able to talk to their manager or superior about it, yet 78 per cent of employers believed their employees to be comfortable discussing such problems at work.
Logan says: “’In my personal and professional life, I have seen the importance of people seeking help when things become too much. Prevention is always better than cure. While it can take some time to open up, it is amazing how willing people are to help if asked. Sport has made such progress on issues of mental health in recent years and together with campaigns such as ‘Not A Red Card’ we have a powerful platform to make a difference.”
Savage says: “I’m proud to be involved with the ‘Not A Red Card’ campaign. Some of my closest friends have been deeply affected by mental health issues; strong, successful men who from the outside appeared to have everything. Through that I’ve learnt that it’s vital to seek support – even if as in my case it is just someone to talk to now and again for perspective and reassurance.”
