The MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) has strengthened its commitment to supporting the mental wellbeing of its staff and students by signing the STOP Suicide Organisational Pledge.

The LMB Director, Hugh Pelham, signed the Pledge on the LMB’s behalf and commented: “People at the LMB are not immune from stress and I am happy to sign the Pledge for all of the LMB.”

The STOP Suicide campaign is led by Mind in Cambridgeshire, Peterborough & Fenland Mind and Lifecraft, supported by local NHS and Public Health teams. Dominika Karpowicz, Mental Health Campaigns Officer, thanked the LMB for signing the Pledge: “We really appreciate your support and commitment to making your organisation suicide-safer.” As part of the Pledge, the LMB has received STOP Suicide resources to distribute to staff, which includes self-help leaflets, posters and Pledge cards. Several individuals at the LMB have also made their own Personal Pledges to the campaign.

This initiative is being supported by the LMB’s trained Mental Health First Aiders who are available to provide support and signpost people towards appropriate professional help where required. To highlight the signing of the Pledge, and in support of World Mental Health Day on Saturday 10th October, the LMB’s Mental Health First Aiders held a ‘Tea & Talk’ event on Thursday 8th October in the LMB restaurant. Staff had a chance to meet members of the team, find out about their work over a cup of tea and slice of cake, and obtain useful resources. Donations were collected for the Mental Health Foundation.

Further References

MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology
http://www2.mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk
World Mental Health Day 2015
http://www.who.int/mental_health/world-mental-health-day/2015/en/