The Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter (MIMHC) has initiated a series of Q&A webinars to address mental health issues within the sector.
- Partnering with Altruist Enterprises, the series aims to elevate mental wellbeing among mortgage professionals through expert dialogue.
- The inaugural webinar, introduced by MIMHC co-founder Jason Berry, featured Katie Buckingham, who emphasised employee wellbeing.
- The session revealed concerning statistics about industry work hours and satisfaction, calling for better mental health practices.
- Webinars are designed to be interactive, encouraging participants to share and discuss mental health challenges openly.
The Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter (MIMHC) has embarked on an ambitious project to tackle mental health issues prevalent in the mortgage sector by launching a series of Q&A webinars. This initiative is a collaborative endeavour with Altruist Enterprises, an organisation renowned for enhancing workplace mental wellbeing through professional training and coaching.
These webinars aim to foster an environment where mental health conversations are routine and impactful. The inaugural session was spearheaded by Jason Berry, the co-founder of MIMHC, underscoring the importance of mental health discussions within the industry. Berry highlighted the need for mortgage companies to proactively address warning signs of mental health deterioration amongst employees.
Katie Buckingham, who is both the founder of Altruist Enterprises and a prominent advocate for mental wellness, provided expert insights during the session. She articulated the critical need for companies to prioritise employee wellbeing alongside fiscal goals. Buckingham offered practical advice for managers, outlining strategies to identify and support colleagues experiencing mental health issues. She stated that the reluctance among managers often stems from a lack of skills necessary to initiate mental health dialogues effectively.
A revealing statistic from the MIMHC’s 2024 survey indicated that a significant portion of industry professionals endure excessively long working hours, with 62% working more than 45 hours a week, and 13% exceeding 65 hours. Alarmingly, over half of the participants reported feeling only ‘moderately happy’ or entirely ‘disillusioned’ with their jobs. Such findings underscore the urgent need for improved mental health support within the sector.
The interactive nature of these webinars allows for live recording sessions, creating spaces where attendees can voice their experiences and pose questions in a supportive setting. Participants are encouraged to engage openly about the challenges they face, fostering a culture that prioritises dialogue and collective problem-solving in addressing mental health concerns.
The MIMHC series is a significant step towards fostering a healthier work environment within the mortgage industry by prioritising mental wellbeing.
