Craig Fearn, mental health expert and owner of Penryn, Cornwall-based consultancy Business Mental Wellbeing, is collaborating with international spirits company Brown-Forman Group, which owns the Jack Daniels and Chambord brands, to deliver mental health and wellbeing webinars.

The webinars are produced exclusively for Brown-Forman and will also be promoted via the Healthy Hospo network, which is the first not-for-profit organisation to highlight mental wellbeing issues in the hospitality industry on a global scale.

Craig will explore such topics as asking for or directing support, how to have a conversation about mental wellbeing, stress management techniques and what to do if you think a colleague is living with poor mental health.

"The hospitality industry has been hit really hard by the global lockdown and forced closure of the industry. With widespread job losses, uncertainty about reopening the industry, increasing

financial stress, and the reduction in human connection, it's more important than ever that Healthy Hospo works with experts like Craig to provide support for those desperately in need of our help," says Tim Etherington Judge, Healthy Hospo CEO.

Craig, who has been providing his mental wellbeing support and mentoring services using digital technology since March when lockdown was announced, is delighted to provide support

in this way.

He said:

"Every industry has a duty of care to look after their employees' physical and mental wellbeing. This week, when mental wellbeing is being talked about more because of Mental Health Awareness Week 2020, it's a great time to talk about the work I do to support individuals and businesses.

"Some sectors are in greater need of support than others, and the steps that the hospitality industry have taken to safeguard employee mental health are well known.

"Across the UK, we're getting better at acknowledging the impact of poor mental health - but businesses tend to prefer to provide reactionary support after a crisis as happened. It is far more cost-effective - and better for staff - to make wellbeing support part of your company culture.

"So, I'm really pleased to work with an organisation who is so forward-thinking and clearly putting staff wellbeing at the top of the corporate agenda."

Brown Forman staff will be able to book 1:1 sessions for targeted support and Craig has allowed time during each webinar to address a very current concern, which is how to manage mental wellbeing at home in isolation when you're more comfortable working alongside a team.

Craig added:

"The necessary social distancing measures mean that people are more isolated than ever before. Our homes have become offices, classrooms and playgrounds, and we are dealing with

considerable uncertainty and change due to financial, health and business worries."

For more information about the services and support available to local businesses, click here.