19 Jan. 2024: We’ve just passed Blue Monday (this year, 15th January), the third Monday of the year and, allegedly, the most depressing day in the calendar. However, as most people are aware, the whole Blue Monday concept was actually a holiday company marketing ploy. The reality is that good days, difficult days and life’s challenges can happen at any time.

That’s where the Printing Charity’s free, confidential employee helpline can come in. The helpline is available for all businesses in the paper and packaging sectors, as well as print, graphics and publishing, to offer to their employees. It features in-the-moment emotional support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Any time of day or night when things are difficult, the helpline is there – particularly important for industries where businesses run 24-hour shift patterns. As Mark Roberts, MD of Acorn Web Offset, says: “The helpline gives our employees the immediate chance to speak in a judgement-free zone with dedicated professionals no matter what time of day or night.”

Along with this in-the-moment emotional support, the helpline also provides practical information and advice, Monday – Friday, 8am-8pm.

Conversations with paper and packaging organisations show the range of support options provided alongside the Printing Charity helpline to support employee wellbeing by businesses in these sectors.

Starting open conversations is high on the mental wellbeing agenda for the Cardboard Box Company. MD Dan Johnston explains: “We’re proud to offer mental wellbeing support to our team in a variety of ways. I think it’s important for any business. We have an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), professionally trained Mental Health First Aiders and recently have been involved with ‘Mates in Mind’, an initiative that has helped our leadership team be more open about mental wellbeing and how the business can support all our team.”

Judith Chadwick, Head of HR at Board24, is also committed to creating space for these open conversations. “We host Mental Health Awareness events,” she explains. “Our leaders are trained and supported to ensure that asking how people are is part of the regular conversations they have with their teams.”

Judith is positive about the part the helpline plays in enabling Board24 to take a well-balanced approach to caring for the team’s mental wellbeing. “It’s early days yet for us with the helpline, however, we have been able to advise people with specific issues where the Printing Charity can help
them,” she says.

For the Cardboard Box Company, Dan can see how the helpline has provided a clear route to access support when it’s needed. He says: “The feedback we got was that, in general, people are embarrassed to ask for help or advice. Having clear signposting to where we can talk further, and a broad spectrum of subjects covered, is something we simply haven’t had before.”

Learn more about ways the free, confidential helpline can support your employees. Watch the video, visit the website helpline pages, or contact the Printing Charity on
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to discuss making the helpline available to your team.