Struggling - a video workshop about mental health in the workplace 

From a video by Made By Mortals

"Struggling", funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, is a video workshop that you can use that explores what it can feel like to experience mental ill health in the workplace.

In the 20 minute video, you’ll meet Josh. Josh is a fictional character shaped by the lived experiences and imaginations of a community group. Through his story, you’ll explore what it can feel like to experience mental ill health in the workplace, and how this can impact someone’s ability to stay in work.

The workshop begins with a character case study video, followed by three insight audio questions designed to prompt reflection and discussion. You’ll be invited to consider the benefits of supporting someone like Josh to remain in work, the barriers and challenges they may face, and the practical solutions that employers and workplaces can put in place.

Alongside this, you’ll gain insight directly from the lived experience group, hearing their perspectives before reflecting on your own.

What emerged through the development of Josh’s story is how often work becomes harder not only because of health conditions themselves, but because of wider pressures like job insecurity, caring responsibilities, housing, and money. By creating space to explore these issues through a fictional character, creative approaches like this can surface insights that are often missed in traditional consultation.

Through the story of Josh, the workshop video will help people reflect on the barriers individuals face when trying to stay in work while managing their mental health, and will support researchers, health and care systems, and employers to design more effective, joined-up support for people to stay in or return to work.

Watch the 20 minute video here: