Mental Health Awareness Week is an annual event that takes place every May, and it provides a perfect opportunity for organisations to highlight the importance of mental health and wellbeing among their employees.
Anxiety is the theme of Mental Health Awareness Week 2023 and this year aims to enhance people's awareness and comprehension of anxiety by focusing on it. It will provide information on preventive measures that can alleviate anxiety and prevent it from developing into a problem. Additionally, will continue to advocate for change, urging the government and society as a whole to prioritize mental health improvement.
Looking for some ideas on what to do to raise awareness in your organisation? Here are some ways your organisation can promote mental health awareness and wellbeing during the week.
Encourage open dialogue around mental health by hosting a virtual event or webinar on topics such as stress management, mindfulness, and self-care. Invite mental health experts, psychologists or HR professionals to speak to your team about the importance of taking care of one's mental health.
Use this week to promote a culture of wellbeing in your organization. Encourage your team to take regular breaks and prioritize self-care activities such as exercise, meditation, or taking walks during the day. You can also provide support through employee assistance programs (EAPs) or mental health days off.
The green ribbon is the international symbol of mental health awareness. Order your green ribbon to raise awareness and support good mental health for all available in the UK here. #PinItForMentalHealth and wear a green ribbon to show colleagues, loved ones or simply those you walk past that you care about their mental health.
Make mental health resources easily accessible to your employees. This can include links to online counseling services, virtual support groups, and mindfulness apps. Providing access to mental health resources can help employees better manage their stress and improve their overall wellbeing.
There is some great resources available on the UK Mental Health website, with everything from downloadable resources, zoom backgrounds, social media guides, and lots of differing booklets available.
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As leaders, it's essential to set an example and prioritise your own mental health. This can mean sharing your own experiences with mental health or taking the time to prioritize self-care activities in your own schedule.
Encourage your team to use social media to raise awareness about mental health during the week. Share information about resources, events, and mental health statistics on your company social media pages. Referring back to the theme for this year, campaigners encourage the use of the following hashtag to draw attention to the cause #ToHelpMyAnxiety. There again is a lot of resources like social sharing graphics on the UK Mental Health website here.
By taking these steps, your organisation can demonstrate its commitment to supporting employee mental health and wellbeing. Prioritising mental health can create a positive impact on the overall productivity and well-being of your team members.
Remember, mental health awareness shouldn't be limited to just one week. Let's make it a year-long conversation and promote it in the best ways possible!
We’d love to hear from you! How will your company be marking Mental Health Awareness Week this year?
For more tips on how to manage mental health and prevent burnout download our How to Help Your Employees Avoid Burnout.
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