A Dudley chief executive who revealed a history of mental illness – including self harming – to her staff says it has strengthened the organisation.

She is encouraging other bosses to be open about their own mental health issues - especially during this pandemic.

Laura Thomas, chief executive of Citizens Advice Dudley Borough, told her staff how she had experienced depression since her teens.

During a staff conference she revealed how she had self-harmed, undergone psychiatric assessment and taken anti-depressants.

She says that since revealing her diagnosis the organisation has embraced a more supportive and transparent culture, where staff have thrived both personally and professionally.

The Centre for Mental Health has estimated that half a million people will suffer mental health problems due to the pandemic.

Laura believes CEOs need to be open about improving and sustaining positive mental health, not only to avoid problems within their organisations further down the line but also to harness specific skills, resilience and empathy people with disabilities and health conditions can demonstrate in the workplace.

She made the comments as Citizens Advice Dudley Borough gained Thrive at Work bronze level accreditation, the free scheme run by West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to help employers support the mental and physical health and wellbeing of employees.

Thrive at Work has signed up more than 400 organisations across the West Midlands and beyond. .

She said: “Many were surprised that someone in a senior leadership role could experience such problems. It made them realise that the stigma and discrimination around mental health needs to be challenged and that having a physical and or mental health issue is not a barrier to a successful career and fulfilled life.”

“One of the positive effects of the programme was an increase in the confidence and self-esteem of staff.

“A third of our workforce have a declared physical disability and/or a mental health issue”

To find out more about Thrive at Work visit https://www.wmca.org.uk/what-we-do/thrive/thrive-at-work/