March On Stress

March on Stress conference 2025 – a great day of learning and networking

Added on the 3rd April 2025

Thank you to everyone who attended the fourth March on Stress conference in London on 1st April 2025 – it was a fantastic day and we are very grateful to those who attended and to our wonderful expert speakers.

The conference – ‘Supporting Mental Health at Work: Evidence, Experience and Innovation’ – kicked off with Professor Jo Yarker who introduced the audience to the IGLOO framework for sustainable health and wellbeing at work, a really interesting model to support mental health at work.

Next, Dr Charlotte Hall discussed the recent research into the psychological impact of homeworking, including the facilitators and barriers to good mental and physical health, and also productivity. A really interesting look at this area which has become so significant, post-covid.

Matt Jenkin, an employment lawyer, gave some excellent tips about mental health at work from a legal perspective, including the importance of being proactive, not just reactive, in managing mental health risks, such as training managers in having difficult conversations and how to deal with workplace grievances.

The NHS TRiM network was the topic for the next talk, from Becky Harris and Linsey Kastakin of Leicester Hospitals NHS. This excellent network for learning and sharing TRiM knowledge and ideas may soon be known as the International TRiM Network, with new signups on the day from the British Army, British Transport Police, HM Govt. Gibraltar, Great Western Railway and the Probation Service. The continued growth of the network is a fantastic testament to the hard work of Becky, Linsey and their NHS TRiM colleagues and their commitment to optimising TRiM to support their colleagues.

After lunch and plenty of networking, a fantastic panel of experts assembled to chat through peer support options which can help to support staff in circumstances where there isn’t necessarily a trigger or a trauma. Sarah Ward-Lilley MBE covered Reflective Practice, Stewart Freegard talked about REACTMH® in Siemens Mobility, Samantha Langford explained the framework and benefits of StRaW®, including in small and medium sized organisations. Gavin Rogers from March on Stress concluded with a description of the peer-to-peer pivot. A discussion followed with some insightful questions and answers from the audience and panel.

Dr Lisa de Rijk described a ground-breaking new treatment for PTSD, and the work going on through clinical trials and early results. The research so far suggests that this early, non-traumatising brief therapy protocol can significantly improve recovery, based on current trials, as part of a wider care support plan. It was fascinating to hear of this exciting development in PTSD interventions.

Our very own Professor Neil Greenberg talked about the important subject of moral injury, the latest evidence related to this syndrome, its significance in the workplace and the direction that the research is headed in order to understand more about why and when it occurs and how to intervene when it does.

Rounding out the day was Dr Susannah Robertson-Hart, who spoke about understanding and managing the impact on mental health for those working with distressing content – an interesting topic given the increasing number of roles/organisations involved in such work. Susannah shared strategies to protect mental health when working with distressing content, using the psychosocial hierarchy of controls.

March on Stress Business Development Director, Georgina Godden, said: “Once again, it was an honour to share the room with so many colleagues who share our passion for supporting mental health in the workplace. Thank you to all those who attended and to our wonderful experts who provided such fascinating insight and knowledge on a range of important topics.

“Listening to the speakers, I was particularly proud to acknowledge that our evidence-based approach at March on Stress means that – while we would never pretend to have all the answers – we do have wide-ranging services that are effective when it comes to supporting people in the workplace with the mental health issues that seem to be at the forefront. We pride ourselves on staying in line with or in front of the evidence – and that seems to be what we are achieving.

“We very much hope to return with our next big event in 2027, but please do look out for some more ‘low key’ CPD opportunities from us in the meantime.”

If you would like to keep in touch about future March on Stress events or to discuss how March on Stress services relate to the topics that were discussed on the day, please contact us at info@marchonstress.com.

 

 

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