Each October, World Mental Health Day raises awareness and drives positive change in the way we think and talk about mental health issues.
In 2019, one in eight people globally were living with mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety and PTSD. As the trend continues, new research shows that one in two of us will experience a mental health disorder in our lifetime.
Financial concerns, stress and feeling overwhelmed can all negatively impact our mental health, so how can organisations and employers support their employees in challenging times?
Four steps to improving employee mental health and wellbeing
- Invest in their financial education. A staggering 39% of adults (20.3 million) don’t feel confident managing their money so it’s clear there’s a need for more guidance. Financial education plays a crucial role in improving employee mental health, from reducing stress levels to gaining confidence in decision making.
- Promote hobbies and wellness activities. Our Eximia team spoke on the value of creative outlets and how they can increase productivity, boost our ‘happy hormones’ and help us make new connections. So, remind your employees to invest in their creative hobbies outside of work to reap the rewards.
- Be stress aware. Financial concerns are a leading cause of stress among adults. Why not focus your internal communications on financial resilience, helping reduce stress levels at all levels of your organisation? You could run a pensions workshop or signpost employees to a financial advisor for help with investments, debt management or budgeting.
- Create a safe space. We all know how important it is to have someone we can talk to, whether it’s our friends, family or even colleagues. Having a safe space to discuss concerns, thoughts and feelings can help us process our emotions and manage difficult situations. Perhaps you can promote your EAP or run regular drop-in sessions on health and wellbeing.
Great communication is key to getting employees onboard with your message, so make sure that you use engaging, jargon-free, consistent language. Use the most effective mix of channels to reach your audience and have a clear goal in mind.
If World Mental Health Day has got you thinking about your internal communications, we’d love to chat. We’ll help you deliver the right message, at the right time, in the right way.
