World Mental Health Day 10th October

World Mental Health Day was established by the World Federation for Mental Health and The World Health Organisation in 1992 to raise awareness about mental health and to fight stigma. The aim was, and still is, to promote mental health support, to educate the public and to campaign for better treatment for people struggling with their mental health.

This year’s theme is “It’s time to prioritise mental health in the workplace” to highlight the connection between mental health and work. With 15% of UK workers estimated to have an existing mental health condition it’s a reminder that mental health needs to be a priority in every workplace.

We all know that work can impact our mental health in many ways both positively and negatively. It can boost our self-esteem, provide us with a purpose and is a way to connect and develop friendships. But it can also be a source of stress and anxiety and in 2022 mental health was the 5th most common reason for sick leave in the UK with 875,000 workers suffering from work-related stress, depression, and anxiety.

So how can we promote the positive mental health benefits of working whilst supporting those who might be struggling? How can we help people create a mentally healthy workplace?

• Provide staff training on mental health – Employers need to equip themselves and their employees with knowledge on how to spot early signs of mental health struggles and how to provide support when needed. Also ensure you have trained mental health first aiders as part of your team.
  The Samaritans have put together a toolkit to provide you with tips on taking care of your own mental health and wellbeing and how to check in with others… Click here
• Support open conversations about mental health – Create a culture where talking about mental wellbeing is encouraged, so employees feel it’s safe to share their experiences without fear of judgement.
• Tackle mental health stigma in the workplace – It’s important to lead by example to encourage a culture of understanding and acceptance. Providing support resources, challenging misconceptions and normalising mental health discussions all help to challenge stigma.

For more information on how to promote and signpost world mental health day, there is a communications toolkit with numerous tips and links to promote mental health in the workplace.

This World Mental Health Day let’s focus on building a workplace where mental health is prioritised and everyone feels supported in their wellbeing.