Last week our studios came together to mark Mental Health Awareness Week. Launched by The Mental Health Foundation 22 years ago, from the 15^th to the 21^st May, we observed the important week and this year’s theme of anxiety.

With a number of activities organised throughout the practice designed to keep conversations going surrounding ways to support and prioritise our mental health and wellbeing, a timetable of various activities was shared with a focus on walking, our annual Civic Flower Show, hints and tips sheets and a push to re-look at our individual Wellness Action Plans.

Every year The Mental Health Foundation sets a theme, with this year’s dedicated to anxiety. A normal emotion present in us all, anxiety can sometimes get out of control and quickly become a mental health problem. From big life events, relationships, financial worries and work stress, the foundation aims to raise awareness of the many ways that we can make the anxiety easier to manage. More pressure is also being placed on the government to help demand change and improve mental health services across the country.

At Civic Engineers we continue to work as a team to ensure everyone across our Leeds, London, Manchester and Glasgow studios feels supported and appreciated, and feel able to be their authentic selves in work. By recognising and finding time to mark awareness weeks including Mental Health Awareness Week, we hope we play our own part in facilitating opportunities for everyone to discuss their wellbeing and share some of the ways that work for them when it comes to managing anxiety across our busy lives.

Our studio-wide mindfulness sessions remain a popular support for the team, along with our Wellness Action Plans (our optional and confidential review of how best to support the mental health and wellbeing of our employees at work). Our ongoing Miles in May challenge has also continued throughout Mental Health Awareness month, with the team tracking their activity through our Civic Engineers Club on Strava.

Finally, we rounded off the week by sharing a powerful piece from one of our team, our Bid Manager Suzanne Mack, sharing her experience with Imposter Syndrome and some of the ways we can all begin to challenge the feelings that come into play for those suffering with it.

Thanks to all our team who played a part in organising this week’s activities and everyone who took part.