Mental health support for architectural professionals
The Architects Benevolent Society are now able to provide timely access to practical support for people in the architectural community experiencing anxiety, stress and anxiety based depression.
Pressures of work, the vulnerability and uncertainty of the architectural professions, health, relationship and family difficulties are just some of the reasons individuals can experience anxiety, stress and anxiety based depression.
The Architects Benevolent Society (the Society), in consultation with CIAT, RIBA and the Landscape Institute, has partnered with Anxiety UK to provide support to members of the wider architectural profession living with anxiety, stress or anxiety based depression via a range of services, including one to one therapy, a dedicated helpline and email services to provide emotional support, self-help materials and annual membership to Anxiety UK. The Architects Benevolent Society is pleased to partner with Anxiety UK as it will enable us to respond to an identified need within the wider architectural profession.
Every week in the UK, one in six adults experiences symptoms of a common mental health problem such as anxiety or depression.* Earlier this month, the AJ published its 2017 Life in Practice survey results, revealing that mental health is the biggest single worry for respondents aged under 30, with 38 per cent saying it was their largest workplace concern.
Angela Brady OBE, ABS President commented: “We believe this very important mental health support we will be providing in partnership with Anxiety UK, will give real help to the many people in our wider profession experiencing mental health difficulties, adding to the financial assistance, advice and other practical support the Society already provides.”
This new support service has been endorsed by the Presidents of the membership organisations of the various professions supported by the Society as they recognise the pressures on their members.
Gary Mees, CIAT President: “CIAT is pleased to be supporting this vital and much needed initiative being established by the ABS. Mental health issues have to be addressed and it is of great importance that there is support for those within the built environment sector.”
Jane Duncan, RIBA President: “If you are suffering, it’s important to know you are not alone. I urge anyone struggling with mental health problems to seek help, for example through this new ABS partnership with Anxiety UK.”
Merrick Denton-Thompson, Landscape Institute President: “Landscape professionals transform places to improve both physical and mental health outcomes for people of all ages, and the well-being of all landscape professionals is extremely important in its own right. We are very grateful to the Architects Benevolent Society for joining with Anxiety UK in providing support to tackle mental health issues within our profession.”
The Architects Benevolent Society has been supporting members of the architectural professions and their families for nearly 170 years. We help people of all ages, from early on in their careers through to retirement, providing financial assistance, advice and practical support with a range of issues.
On 8 May 2017 the Architects Benevolent Society held an event, in conjunction with RIBA, to launch schemes to provide real support and signposting for those experiencing mental health issues. CIAT representatives were in attendance.
