What to do this World Mental Health Day (10th October)

What can you do as a company and as an individual to support your own and others’ mental health this World Mental Health Day?* 

*Disclaimer – we don’t really mean just supporting your MH for one day a year but it’s a good place to start.

1. Acknowledge and share

The first step is to acknowledge that we all have mental health – and like physical health it will vary throughout the days and years, with highs and lows. To say ‘we don’t have a problem with that’ or ‘we’ve done mental health’ is to add to the myth that it’s not something that fluctuates.

Acknowledging occasions like World Mental Health Day can be a great place to start a conversation but remember that the conversation has to be continued. Asking leaders to share their own stories of mental health is a great place to start, along with inviting guest speakers along (face to face or online) to share their experiences. Contact us to find out more about our guest speakers this World Mental Health Day. 

???? Why not run a company coffee morning panel discussion with colleagues sharing their own mental health experiences along with guest speakers followed by breakout rooms to chat further. 

2. Address

Finding out what the main mental health concerns are amongst your employees is the first step to being able to address them. Are you colleagues worried about working hours and feeling stressed and burnt out, are your colleagues feeling demotivated now that there is less contact face to face, or is the uncertainty around industry stability adding to their anxiety? Research suggests that with more people working from home, employers may miss the signs that their employees are struggling with their mental health – and as we know from NHS stats, there has been a 20% increase in people reaching out for mental health support since March.

Once you know what the main concerns are (by asking in a non-judgemental, confidential way) you’ll be able to address these concerns – and that’s where we can help. 

???? Managing Anxiety with Tim Le Bon webinar

3. Empathise

Not everyone has the same concerns and not everyone will be able to share right now. Not forcing people to speak but offering options and different types of support is essential – this might be highlighting your company EAP, proving Mental Health First Aid training and publicising who the MH First Aiders are, sharing the company mental health policy (and creating one if you don’t already have one”, make conversation around mental health the norm – starting every regular line manager catch up with an honest conversation about what’s going on for them. As mental health advocate Ruby Wax suggests, instead of asking ‘How are you?’ to which the common response is ‘I’m fine’ why not ask ‘What’s the weather condition inside your head today?’ ???? The chances are you’ll get a much more honest answer and it may be the start of an invaluable conversation. 

????To celebrate World Mental Health Day this year offer a range of activities to appeal to everyone – a morning meditation, a post-work online yoga class, the option for one to one coaching sessions, a social wine and catch up, an anonymous suggestions email box to post suggestions for supporting employees with their own mental health. 

4. Commit

Sign the Time To Change employer pledge https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/take-action/resources-your-workplace/employer-pledge and access free resources to help you continue your mental health journey

OFFER:

We’re extending our offer of 25% off all activities booked to celebrate World Mental Health Day – so any activity booked for the week commencing the 5th or 12th October will receive the discount. Book your session by emailing [email protected]