Healthy minds start here – the ICAS Mental Fitness Pledge
The ICAS Mental Fitness Pledge is part of a long-term strategic commitment to the wellbeing of our Students, Members and colleagues, to help us learn, grow and advance together.
ICAS launched its mental fitness strategy in May 2021. The three-year plan aims to break down the stigma surrounding mental ill-health in business, provide access to resources and see ICAS become a leading voice for the promotion of mental fitness.
The strategy was created in collaboration with ICAS staff and Members and is led internally by Janice Hutchinson, Director of Marketing, and externally by Jonny Jacobs CA.
The ICAS Mental Fitness Pledge
At the forefront of this approach, driving the strategy and outlining all that we aim to achieve is The ICAS Mental Fitness Pledge:
Healthy minds start here
At ICAS we want to play a positive role in the lives of our Members, Students and colleagues. That’s why we’re making a long-term commitment to mental fitness.
Over the next three years, by removing stigma, creating sustainable change and connecting people to the help they need, we’ll build a more inclusive, resilient and healthier network.
Let’s learn, grow and advance together.
A three-year plan
The first year of the three-year plan will involve ICAS kick-starting a discussion and working to remove stigma associated with mental ill-health. The aim of the following year is for ICAS to be in the position of facilitator, putting people in touch with the resources they need. By year three we aim to be the 'gold standard' and have a demonstrable record of making a positive difference in the mental-health space.
A community you can rely on
As Bruce Cartwright CA, ICAS Chief Executive said upon announcing the launch of the pledge, 'the crucial thing for each of us to remember is that we’ve all got mental health. For some, a difficult event may create a temporary change. For others, it is a long-term problem, a part of their daily life that requires long-term support.'
'Whatever your own circumstances, we want ICAS to be a community you can rely on and by signalling our intentions with the launch of our pledge we want to ensure that the message is communicated far and wide.'
Watch our short video to hear more from Bruce on the motivations behind the pledge and our mental fitness strategy:
Take time out during the month of May
Throughout May 2022 our Finance+ Insights series will focus on the topic of Mental Fitness.
There will be time to consider changes that can be adopted to stay on the road to a healthier and happier ‘new normal’, alongside a range of insightful features, information and links to useful resources.
Richard Ratnagur, Executive Director at SAMH the Scottish mental health charity will deliver a webinar to help understand what’s meant by ‘mental health’, why it’s important for everyone and commercially imperative for business. He’ll outline the key principles that apply to all workplaces and suggest practical steps that SMEs can take to develop their own plans for mental health.
Alastair Campbell, the communicator, strategist and mental health campaigner will provide an examination of the crucial role that leaders must play in supporting mental fitness within their organisations.
ICAS Members and Students will be encouraged to share their experiences and the methods they use to practice self-care, whilst an experienced CA will tell their story of coping with mental ill-health caused by work pressures and discuss solutions to the problem of work-life balance.
There will also be time to mark Mental Health Awareness Week in the UK (Monday 9 to Sunday 15 May) which this year is explores the experience of loneliness, its effect on our mental health and how we can all play a part in reducing loneliness in our communities.
Discover fresh insight, advice and resources at the new Finance + Mental Fitness hub.
