Today is World Mental Health Day, and this year’s theme is “It’s Time to Prioritise Mental Health in the Workplace.”
At a time when 4 out of 10 workers report that their job negatively impacts their mental health, this has never been more important. World Mental Health Day (WMHD) gives us an annual opportunity to raise awareness, break the stigma, and start meaningful conversations about mental health.
Prioritising mental health in the workplace is crucial to supporting employees, cultivating a thriving workforce, and forwarding business goals.
The Importance of World Mental Health Day:
Millions of people around the world struggle with mental health challenges every day. These powerful statistics show just how critical awareness and support are:
- 1 in 6 people experience a common mental health problem (like anxiety or depression) weekly.
- 75% of mental health issues develop before the age of 24, emphasising the need for early intervention.
- In the UK, suicide is the leading cause of death for those aged 20-34 in the UK, with over 5,000 deaths annually.
- 60% of UK adults with mental health problems received no treatment in the last year.
What is the Aim of World Mental Health Day?
World Mental Health Day raises awareness around mental health challenges in an effort to end stigmas and encourage more mental health support around the globe for everyone, regardless of their situation. It aims to assemble and mobilise efforts to support those experiencing mental health issues to promote healthier and happier lives for all globally.
World Mental Health Day opens the door for people to discuss challenges with mental health without judgement and proper support to corners of the world that may not have easily accessible mental health support yet.
What Causes Poor Mental Health?
Causes of mental health challenges can be complex and stem from different sources, such as environmental factors, genetics, and social influences. Some are a reaction to difficult life events, such as bereavement or a relationship breakdown, but they can also be caused by stress from working conditions. This is why it is crucial for organisations to offer mental health support in the workplace, as without it, your people and business could suffer.
Spotting the Signs of Poor Mental Health
As a leader, spotting the signs of poor mental health is essential. Without this, people who are struggling may run the risk of worsening mental health issues and impacting the organisation’s productivity levels.
Common Signs of Poor Mental Health
- Lack of energy and closed body language
- Confusion
- Inability to concentrate
- Coming into work late
- Excessive worries and fears, perhaps over minor issues
- Extreme mood changes
- Showing anger, aggression, or resentment towards their work or colleagues
Mental Health in the Workplace and the Cost of Ignoring it
1 in 6 people experience mental health problems in the workplace and 17.1 million days are lost to stress, anxiety, and depression in the UK. Mental health in the workplace has a direct impact on workplace performance, impacting things a business needs to become successful such as employee productivity, employer reputation, and workplace morale.
As a result, leaders should send a clear message that mental health matters in the workplace by proactively offering mental health support for their people, encouraging people to feel valued and safe in their workplace.
Why is it Important to Offer Mental Health Support in the Workplace?
It cultivates an open and trusting environment
Mental health support provides a safe space for people to discuss their mental health challenges without judgement, encouraging others to discuss their challenges openly, fostering an open and trusting culture where people feel comfortable and safe to disclose their struggles to their colleagues and managers.
Encourages positive work relationships
Often, individuals who struggle with mental health challenges find it difficult to communicate their thoughts and feelings, which can make everyday conversations with their colleagues tough and draining. With appropriate mental health support, those who are struggling can feel the relief of talking to a counsellor and work on articulating their feelings for better and stronger relationships inside and outside of work.
Empowers your people
When an employer prioritises mental health and the care of their people, their people tend to be healthier, happier, and more engaged. It makes people feel valued and increases the overall morale of the workplace.
How You Can Make a Difference this World Mental Health Day:
Conversation Starters:
- Work-Life Balance: Achieving a healthy work-life balance means finding the right balance between your professional responsibilities and personal life, ensuring neither is neglected.
- Stress Container: The concept of a ‘stress container’ helps us visualise how much stress we carry. Imagine your stress container filling up with different stressors until it overflows, leading to being overwhelmed. How can we recognise when our ‘stress container’ is close to overflowing, and what support can we offer each other?
- Mental Health Myths: There are many misconceptions about mental health that can create stigma and prevent people from seeking help. It’s important to dispel these to foster a supportive and understanding environment.
Activities to Promote Wellbeing:
- Mindfulness Exercises: Simple breathing exercises such as meditation or a body scan can help reduce stress and enhance focus.
- Wins of the Week: Celebrate big or small achievements with your team to build a positive workplace culture and to make sure your people feel valued for the work they do.
How can organisations like Shredall SDS Group drive better mental health support in the workplace?
Offer mental health support
Free and easily accessible employee mental health support is essential for an organisation. It shows you care about your team, allowing them a place to find confidential support without having to deal with long wait times and large costs. Counsellors offer different perspectives and a safe space for people to vent their challenges to a qualified person who may offer helpful and beneficial advice.
Shredall SDS Group’s Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) are employee benefit programmes that offer our team a safe space to discuss any of their personal or professional challenges that may negatively impact their work performance and mental health. EAPs provide a confidential service for employees and their immediate families that includes short-term counselling, legal advice, and financial guidance - wherever and whenever.
Offer onsite First Aid Trainers
As an employer, you hold a duty of care to all of your employees. By making mental health a priority in your organisation, you will benefit both your staff and your business.
Offer wellness days
A great time to survey your team, in order to work out new and exciting ways they would like to create healthy habits for in and around work. Maintaining consistent communication with our team shows openness for improvement, and creates a mutual feeling of value and respect within the business.
Does your team want more work space?
Shredall SDS Group recently converted an unused office into a break out area, giving the team an opportunity to use a different environment for their time away from their work. The use of green plants, natural light and music if they feel it’s needed is invaluable. We feel there is not a one-size fits all approach to creating a productive environment, however by speaking to the team we may be able to find a happy medium. Some do thrive in a busy, sociable workspace, however we have found this new distraction free zone where individuals can function without interruption is a great additional room.
Offer a yoga or pilates class monthly
Pilates is a safe and effective method of exercise that focuses on muscular balance, while yoga incorporates gentle exercise, breath control and meditation. There are many health benefits in regularly practising yoga or pilates, such as lowering blood pressure, improving posture, increasing circulation and giving a sense of wellbeing.
Lunchbox boost
Weekly fruit bowls and foods to fight fatigue such as - whole grains, cheese, nuts, oats, etc. is a great way to encourage your team and give them a boost.
If you have been affected by anything you have read in this blog post, there are resources that can support you day and night. Please visit the Mind website to find a list of these resources. This list includes a 24/7 text message-based service if you are unable to speak on the phone.
Shredall SDS Group donate and fundraise annually to MIND, donating up to £1000 a year to help their vital work in mental health awareness and support.
