Bank of Ireland for Intermediaries is the latest lender to sign up to the Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter.

All signatories abide to six governing rules, designed to ensure best practice when dealing with the health and wellbeing of their workforce. All members are required to:

• Develop mental health awareness amongst employees using activities and advocacy
• Encourage open conversations about mental health and the support available to employees who may be struggling
• Provide employees with good working conditions that encourage a healthy work life balance and opportunities for development
• Promote effective people management through line managers and ensure there is a focus on physical and mental wellbeing as well as performance
• Routinely monitor employee mental health and wellbeing through surveys and regular contact with managers
• Have a named contact for mental health support

Bank of Ireland for Intermediaries head of sales, distribution & marketing Alan Longhorn says: “We have embedded a structured and strategic approach to wellbeing which provides a range of supports as well as helps reduce stigma by normalising conversations around mental health.

“We look forward to working in collaboration across the industry to help drive meaningful and lasting change on this important issue.”

Co-founder of Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter and group sales director at Crystal Specialist Finance Jason Berry adds says that becoming a signatory to the charger showed a “commitment to encourage positive mental health and wellbeing for all those people operating in the mortgage sector.”