A MENTAL health expert and owner of Penryn-based consultancy Business Mental Wellbeing is collaborating with the company that owns Jack Daniels to deliver mental health and wellbeing webinars.

Craig Fearn is working with international spirits company Brown-Forman Group, which also owns the Chambord brand.

The webinars are produced exclusively for Brown-Forman and will also be promoted via the Healthy Hospo network, which is the first not-for-profit organisation to highlight mental wellbeing issues in the hospitality industry on a global scale.

Craig will explore topics such as asking for or directing support, how to have a conversation about mental wellbeing, stress management techniques and what to do if you think a colleague is living with poor mental health.

Craig, who has been providing his mental wellbeing support and mentoring services using digital technology since March when lockdown was announced, said: “Every industry has a duty of care to look after their employees’ physical and mental wellbeing.

"When mental wellbeing is being talked about more because of Mental Health Awareness Week 2020, it’s a great time to talk about the work I do to support individuals

and businesses.

"Some sectors are in greater need of support than others, and the steps that the hospitality industry have taken to safeguard employee mental health are well known.

“Across the UK, we’re getting better at acknowledging the impact of poor mental health – but businesses tend to prefer to provide reactionary support after a crisis as happened.

"It is far more cost effective – and better for staff – to make wellbeing support part of your company culture.

"So I’m really pleased to work with an organisation which is so forward thinking and clearly putting staff wellbeing at the top of the corporate agenda."

Brown Forman staff will be able to book one-to-one sessions for targeted support and Craig has allowed time during each webinar to address a very current concern, which is how to manage mental wellbeing at home in isolation when you’re more comfortable working alongside a team.

He added: “The necessary social distancing measures mean that people are more isolated than ever before. Our homes have become offices, classrooms and playgrounds, and we are dealing with considerable uncertainty and change due to financial, health and business worries."

Craig is also celebrating his business being shortlisted for a national award last month.

The 'This Can Happen Awards ' are run in partnership with Allen & Overy.

Now in their second year, the awards recognise and celebrate excellence in mental wellbeing provision.

The Awards champion mental wellbeing best practice and Business Mental Wellbeing has been nominated and shortlisted in the New Consultancy category.

Craig said: “As a relatively new mental wellbeing consultancy, I am delighted to make this shortlist and I'm humbled to find myself on a list with the likes of Pepsi and Sainsbury's – who we know are doing great things to champion employee wellbeing."

For more information about the services and support available to local businesses, visit www.businessmentalwellbeing.com