In the sixth of the series of videos, Jason Berry, co-founder of the Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter (MIMHC) talks to MME Financial Services managing director Peter Simpson.
Simpson founded the mortgage brokerage MME over 20 years ago and the company is a signatory to the MIMHC.
In their wide-ranging discussion, he shares his personal approach to developing a healthy mental state which stems from his childhood experiences and career in the Royal Navy.
These experiences have taught him the importance of mental health in both his personal and professional live.
As a business leader in the mortgage industry, Simpson understands that men in particular don’t turn for help because they see it as a sign of weakness and failure.
He believes that by having a healthy body you are creating the environment in which you will develop a healthy mind. At times when he is struggling, he turns to music or positive memories or reminds himself of those around him that need his mental strength.
Simpson also explains how he supports his team by identifying their individual needs and providing an ear for them to share their problems.
He maintains that there is still a stigma around struggling with mental health and as a business leader it is essential to know your team well enough to identify their individual needs and signals when they are unwilling to share.
In forthcoming videos, Berry will be chatting with key figures across the mortgage industry about how they keep the mental health conversation going in their businesses.
(MIMHC) is a not-for-profit organisation that was founded to raise awareness of employees’ mental health and how the industry can take positive action to improve it.
MIMHC is made up of seven co-founding firms plus over 60 signatory companies across the mortgage industry.
All these firms agree to be bound by MIMHC’s six governing rules which apply best practice health and wellbeing guidelines and are summarised as ‘The MIMHC Charter’.
