30/09/2022
As Mental Health Awareness week draws to a close, I'm reflecting on a few things. I love the idea of moving away from Mental Health AWARENESS Week and into Mental Health ACTION week. We've got awareness. We know that absolutely horrendous su***de stats in Aotearoa New Zealand but we need to commit to taking action to change it.
Mental Health action in the workplace could look like this:
- ensuring your business is an inclusive environment for all staff and encouraging them to bring their whole selves to work.
- commit to being a people-first business. This means the top level of the company leading by example and taking mental health days.
- Avoiding burn-out and if your team are struggling take the weight off their shoulders and offer practical support and solutions.
- DOGS!!! Animals have a calming effect on us humans. Let the dogs come to work with us!
Mental health action in the work place doesn't look like this:
- Yoga / pilates / meditation in the boardroom every Wednesday at 10am
- Cupcakes / morning tea / social posts celebrating Mental Health Awareness week but taking no action to look after your people throughout the year
- Blame culture
We can do better.
Photo credit: Ray of Light Photography ❤️