New menopause training for wellbeing
Menopause awareness and treatment have seen significant growth over the past few years.
Factors such as increased public discourse, more reliable treatment options, and advocacy efforts are empowering women to identify and seek help.
For instance, NHS figures reveal that HRT prescriptions nearly doubled from 600,000 in 2020 to over 1.2 million in 2022.
And it’s about time. Despite the menopause impacting half the population, it is still a much misunderstood, under-valued and under-researched health issue.
Many GPs admit that formal menopause training is often limited or nonexistent at medical school, with ongoing specialist training typically voluntary. But as awareness grows, women are demanding more support. So just what is the workplace doing to keep up?
The need for workplace support
Menopause, while a natural stage of life, can bring challenging symptoms that can hinder work performance, leading to decreased productivity, increased absenteeism, and even early retirement.
A recent survey by Korn Ferry and Vira Health found that 81% of women experiencing menopause feel their symptoms negatively affect their work performance, yet only 3% of organisations have a menopause policy. This gap highlights a missed opportunity for companies to support a significant portion of their workforce and retain experienced and valued talent.
Employers must understand how to support women during this time in life to enhance the overall health, productivity, and financial stability within their organisations. By fostering a culture of understanding around menopause, employers can mitigate risks of marginalisation, reduce stigma, and promote inclusivity - ensuring everyone feels valued and empowered.
But while some organisations are beginning to implement menopause awareness training, these efforts often run the risk of becoming mere tick-box exercises and of no genuine value. To effect meaningful change, women need practical mental health and wellbeing support - not just general awareness.
And given the diverse experiences of women, a one-size-fits-all policy will often be inadequate. Complementing awareness initiatives with tailored mental wellbeing training is therefore essential.
New practical workplace training
Recognising these challenges, Minds That Work and Menospace have collaborated our specialist expertise in workplace mental health and menopause support to create a new practical training programme for businesses, tackling the issues head on - Breaking the silence: strategies for supporting menopause mental health in the workplace.
It is uniquely designed to equip teams, managers, and mental health champions with the tools and understanding they need to provide meaningful support to colleagues experiencing difficulties with their mental health during perimenopause, menopause and post menopause.
The interactive and informative sessions enable participants to:
Gain insight into the stages and symptoms of menopause.
Learn about the impact menopause can have on mental health, identifying the signs and symptoms.
Discover practical tools to support women’s wellbeing at work.
Explore how to foster a more inclusive and supportive work environment.
This training also introduces two bespoke frameworks to guide teams and managers in supporting women through menopause:
SUPPORT Framework for Managers: Actionable steps for leaders assisting employees experiencing menopause.
CARE Framework for Peer Support: Promotes empathy and peer-led support among Wellbeing Champions, Mental Health First Aiders and IACT managers and practitioners.
Designed to complement menopause policies and workplace healthcare support, our training equips managers, HR professionals and champions with the essential practical knowledge and tools to more effectively support menopausal women in their daily working lives
Proactive action for a better workplace future
As the workforce ages, the number of women experiencing menopause will rise.
Demand for help is ever increasing. By taking proactive steps to support your employees, you can not only enhance the wellbeing of your workforce but also retain valuable, diverse talent, improve employee satisfaction, and foster a more inclusive and productive workplace culture.
Menopause should not hinder career progression or job satisfaction. With the right support, women can thrive professionally during this significant life phase.