Mental health

[frankieboy]

What other avenues are there available for employees concerning mental health issues, other than the CWU who just seem to shrug their shoulders. Because of these revisions people's mental health has been suffering. People are off sick with stress and depression, I've seen people walk in and straight back out after having a day off and then coming in to 2 days work or more. More worrying I have seen people crying at their frames, on a daily basis you can see the look on people's faces on how stressed they are. I know personally how all it needs is a spark and you implode and you can do nothing about it. Believe me you end up in very dark place.

[Haditup]

1st :Your GP ,Discuss your anxiety and stress ,take out time to recover.
2nd :When ready, negotiate a return to work on your terms with RM.


Try and put the job into perspective, do your hours and switch the light out.

[clashcityrocker]

Let's not forget Simon's helpline suggestion.

[janty]

It’s simpler, really. Royal Mail don’t give a ——— about the well being of there staff. Get the mail out the door at all costs. It is evident looking at peoples faces that they are stressed and anxious with very little thought of helping staff. When you go sick and tell them of your mental health issues are due to work. They seem all shocked and surprised Then promise you the earth to return and the cycle will start again and again…

[twoloops]

I do think a lot of the older posties & those with years in where hoping to get out? I have never seen so many of our old boys so miserable & now going through a revision, I think some might just pack up or maybe that is what Simon wants?

[Chelseablue]

One of our older staff was told he should be going the same pace as an 20 year old . 38 years service now just about enough and hes struggling . Feel for him .

[blacov]

This job gets harder and more stressful every week. Volumes are already up significantly from summer levels. Absences are high combined with usual annual leave.
Management trying to send you out with double day mail and on top of that they expect you gonna do it out of goodwill or at least as cheap as possible.

If you're a reserve you get all of the above plus on top you are moved around as it suits the management. You will not know your next week until Friday and this can always get changed.

Don't get me started about revisions...

[nightcrawler]

I can’t even remember the last time I got a good night’s sleep. Work is always playing on my mind. I’m so close to leaving, but I just can’t seem to pull the trigger.

[DiamondSmiles]

Yes, i can see the same things happening in my office too. How can you enjoy your rest day when you know you'll have two days work the next day. Management seem happy to run the business into the ground. On one of our deliveries that gets lapsed (supposedly) each day, two of the roads finally received their letters yesterday. They hadn't gone out since Tuesday, that's the Tuesday BEFORE last! How can Royal Mail be getting away with this?
I'm one of the so called 'old timers' and the last thing i need is another revision with what looks like to be around 25% more drops added to deliveries in my office. Breaking point is near.

[ronaldinho0097]

I feel you. I feel like I am about to enter a darker period in my royal mail employment. Van sharing has returned and I have a sick mother at home who has a lung disease. I don't want to van share at all but it seems like I haven't got a choice

[Jpro747]

The key is to stop caring so much. Management don’t care so why should we. Work at a reasonable pace and if you can’t get it all done being the excess back on your finishing time. As long as you follow the procedures they can’t sack you. The only ones that should be stressed are those at the top for f**king up these revisions.

[ssdd]

Other than the CWU - who should be able to signpost you to other services - there is:

-RM First Class Support Helpline 0345 266 5060 [(24/7 Helpline) May be able to help with face-to-face support]
-Samaritans 116 123 (24/7 Helpline)
-Crisis Text Line - Text SHOUT to 85258 (24/7)
-Other forms of help can be found here: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/getting-help

There seems to be some derision towards 'the helpline' on here. I won't comment on why that is. But they (helplines) can, and should be, a valid form of support for people experiencing difficulties. They're available quickly and without appointment.
If people are "crying at their frames" or not getting "a good night's sleep", this suggests health problems that need addressing quickly before they escalate to something more serious. In these cases it would be a good idea to have a visit with your Doctor/GP to evaluate/re-evaluate your symptoms, and assess if perhaps a period off work could help. But in the meantime, why not use one of the helplines.

[POSTMAN]

Feeling First Class: Support

Our Feeling First Class Support service is a confidential and independent helpline for employees, and their direct family members, to turn to if they have any problems or need advice. The service is free and available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week on 0345 266 5060.

See the link for more info.

[redneck]

Feeling First Class: Support

Our Feeling First Class Support service is a confidential and independent helpline for employees, and their direct family members, to turn to if they have any problems or need advice. The service is free and available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week on 0345 266 5060.

See the link for more info.

This is a very good service. I had cause recently to use it due to work related issues. If you are worried about work, stressed out, not sleeping, go off sick with stress related illness. See how long it takes them to sort it out. I had been rolling along for years with occasional stress and nothing being done about it, until I went off. I had reached aa tipping point and had no option but to do it.

[priority102]

I can’t even remember the last time I got a good night’s sleep. Work is always playing on my mind. I’m so close to leaving, but I just can’t seem to pull the trigger.

I was EXACTLY in your position...I DID pull the trigger 6 months ago and I am now a different person....for the better!