World Mental Health Day 2026

World Mental Health Day 2026 Tomorrow marks World Mental Health Day. World Mental Health Day takes place every year on the 10th October.  It’s also a moment to talk openly about mental health and listen to what others are experiencing.  Conversations about mental health make a difference and they matter most when we listen to people’s experiences. But how good are your listening skills? Most people listen to respond; they are waiting to say something in return. Active listening encourages us to focus on listening to understand and showing empathy rather than judgement,  particularly when someone is discussing something like their mental health. below are some tips to help you listen better, whether with family, friends or colleagues. Click the image above to download PDF...

MIMHC Mental Health & Wellbeing Survey Report 2026

MIMHC have completed its latest annual Mental Health and Wellbeing Report for 2026. Mortgage industry mental wellbeing improves sharply – but MIMHC warns underlying burnout risks remain Largest-ever MIMHC survey finds good or excellent mental wellbeing rises from 41% to 53%, while recognised employer wellbeing support falls significantly Mental wellbeing across the UK mortgage industry has improved significantly over the past 12 months – but persistent problems around working hours, sleep, workplace pressures and access to visible employer support mean there is no room for complacency. That is the central finding from the Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter (MIMHC) Mental Health & Wellbeing Survey 2026, its largest study to date. The research gathered responses from 536 people across the mortgage sector, comfortably up from around...

World Suicide Prevention Day 2026

World Suicide Prevention Day 2026 Today marks World Suicide Prevention Day. A difficult subject, but one that is important for all of us to talk about. Every 90 minutes, someone in the UK or Ireland loses their life to suicide, while around 1 in 4 people have experienced suicidal thoughts. By understanding the warning signs and knowing how to reach out, we can all play a part in helping someone through a moment of crisis. The statistics Suicide is the leading cause of death among men under the age of 50. Young women under 24 have experienced the largest increase in suicide rates since records began. Around 125 people die by suicide in the UK every week — equivalent to approximately 18 people each day....

Lunch & Learn: Creating Healthier, High-Performing Teams in the Mortgage Industry

Lunch & Learn: Creating Healthier, High-Performing Teams in the Mortgage Industry On 20 July 2026, Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter (MIMHC) co-founder Jason Berry hosted a thought-provoking Lunch & Learn Q&A in partnership with Working in Mortgages, bringing together senior leaders from across the industry to discuss how businesses can create healthier, more inclusive and higher-performing workplace cultures. The discussion featured an experienced panel including Richard Beardshaw (HSBC UK) and Charles Morley (Metro Bank) who shared honest reflections on leadership, culture, inclusion and the importance of supporting colleagues in an increasingly demanding industry. Rather than focusing solely on mental health, the conversation explored the wider relationship between employee wellbeing, engagement, leadership and commercial performance. Topics included: Creating psychologically safe workplaces where people feel able to speak openly. The role leaders play in...

April is Stress Awareness Month and the campaign this year is #bethechange. 

April is Stress Awareness Month and the campaign this year is #bethechange. April is Stress Awareness Month and the campaign this year is #bethechange. The idea is to implement small changes that can have a bigger impact on overall stress levels and how we manage stress.  Below are 5 simple ideas shared by www.stress.org.uk that you can use to help gradually reduce stress. 1. Build a Daily Stress-Reduction Habit: Choose one simple action to reduce stress, such as taking a short walk, pausing before meetings, or setting boundaries. Practice it consistently each day for 30 days. Track your progress to notice how this habit improves your energy, focus, and wellbeing. Pick what fits best with your schedule and needs. 2. Reframe One Limiting Thought Daily: Identify one thought...

Keeping the mental health conversation going – Celebrating International Women’s day

Keeping the mental health conversation going - Celebrating International Women’s day In recognition of International Women’s Day, Eloise Hall, Strategic Partnership Director at e.surv, hosted a thoughtful and engaging discussion exploring the factors that influence women’s mental health and wellbeing within the mortgage and financial services sector. Joined by Nicola Firth, Founder and CEO of Knowledge Bank, and Kath Stagg, Founder and Managing Director of Stagg Mortgage Services, the conversation brought together three experienced leaders who shared honest reflections on the pressures, expectations and opportunities facing women in the industry today. The discussion explores the many influences on women’s mental health, including the challenge of balancing professional responsibilities with family life, the impact of imposter syndrome, and the importance of building supportive networks. Each speaker...

New series of ‘Keep the Conversation Going’ videos launches with powerful first episode featuring Alice Hendy MBE of Ripple suicide prevention

New series of 'Keep the Conversation Going' videos launches with powerful first episode featuring Alice Hendy MBE of Ripple suicide prevention Produced in association with the Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter (MIMHC), the quarterly series brings senior industry voices into candid, face-to-face discussions about mental health and wellbeing—moving beyond surface-level commentary to explore personal experiences, pressure, leadership responsibility, and the coping strategies that sustain high performers. The inaugural episode features Alice Hendy MBE in a deeply personal and thought-provoking conversation. Speaking with honesty and clarity, she reflects on the experiences that have shaped the creation of Ripple suicide prevention, the emotional realities of losing a sibling, and why creating space for open dialogue remains essential—not only across financial services, but within society.. Hosted by Jason...

MIMHC Mental Health & Wellbeing Survey Report 2025

MIMHC have completed its latest annual Mental Health and Wellbeing Report for 2025. Our 'White Paper' report explores the current sentiment which exists within the mortgage industry and importantly, highlights key areas in which mental health provision needs to improve. Whilst there are some pleasing trends there still remains work to do;- Employer participation in wellbeing initiatives is now up to circa 70% Professional contentment has improved vs 2024 Work/life balance stabilising (circa 34% improved) but More people are working from home permanently or hybrid yet 22% indicate mental health is poor or of concern Our 2026 mission is to serve the sector needs and our focus is very much on;- Promoting Healthier Balance We’re encouraging healthier working hours, better rest, and improved sleep habits...

Keeping the mental health conversation going – Episode 18

Jason Berry interviews Richard Croll of Equifinance In the latest ‘Keep the Conversation Going’ interview, Richard Croll, regional sales manager for South & South Wales at Equifinance, joins Jason Berry, group sales director of Crystal Specialist Finance and co-founder of the Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter (MIMHC). In this discussion, Croll opened up about overcoming a life-threatening illness during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic — a time when isolation and fear were already running high across society. Croll reflected on his journey to recovery and the perspective it’s given him on health, resilience, and the value of human connection: He said: “Being seriously ill during the pandemic was incredibly tough — physically, mentally, and emotionally. “At a time when the world was already turned...

Keeping the mental health conversation going – Episode 17

Jason Berry interviews Paul Purewal of Coventry Building Society In the latest ‘Keep the Conversation Going’ interview Paul Purewal, corporate account manager at Coventry Building Society, shared his insights with Jason Berry, group sales director of Crystal Specialist Finance and co-founder of the Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter (MIMHC). During this conversation, Purewal and Berry discussed how employers can nurture team spirit, how the lessons learnt from playing team sports can read across to the work environment, appreciating the mental health benefits of a good walk and approaching alcohol with caution. Purewal said: “Playing team sports teaches you a huge range of skills, from communicating with people to thinking collectively and helping others, dealing with success and failure and training to improve yourself. “Sports also help...