WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY – 10 THINGS YOU CAN DO

In 2022 World Mental Health Day is happening on Monday, 10 October.

We are asking everybody to get involved… to move forward together. Now is the time to get your business involved.

Everybody has a level of mental health just as everybody has a level of physical health. It’s interesting to think of it in those terms.

There are many activities we can do to improve our physical health and we can do the same with our mental health.

We have listed below some activities or initiatives you may want to try either as an individual or as part of a team at work.

The cost of living crisis, war in Ukraine and general economic uncertainty can have a negative effect on so many people’s mental health, but for those who already had a mental illness or poor mental wellbeing it can be even harder to cope.

One in four of us will experience a mental health problem each year. It could be one of your co-workers, a family member, a friend or even you.

Just trying one of the activities below will help you create a supportive culture at work so people can reconnect talk about mental health and breakdown stigma.

The theme world mental health day in 2022 is set by the World Federation of Mental Health and is ‘Make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority’. At Corporate Personal wellbeing we are focusing on engaging employees.

10 Activities to try at work that will improve mental health.

1. Wellbeing walking meetings
   Make some of your meetings ‘walking’ meetings. It’s great to stand up and move about. Even better if you can walk outside.
2. Wellbeing hours
   Consider giving your employees an hour to do a wellbeing activity of their choosing. Ask them to share what they have done with colleagues. If your company rules don’t allow this, then try organising a mental health wellbeing lunch hour or a wellbeing break.
3. Wellbeing surveys
   Ask your employees how they are feeling. From simply asking the question in a meeting to detailed surveys, every time we ask others how they are feeling, we are supporting them.
4. Wellbeing box
   Fill a box with lovely goodies. From healthy snacks to self-care products. Encouraging staff to take time for themselves is a great way to improve mental wellbeing.
5. Wellbeing biscuits
   There is no such thing : ) but it’s great to organise a tea break for everyone. Don’t talk about work. Just chat. You can do this on Zoom or Teams if you aren’t back at your place of work. Consider setting up a coffee morning for people to talk about how they can support one another. You can download our resources below.
6. Wellbeing support
   Send your team one of our wellbeing videos from our wellbeing video programme. Try our free to join proactive employee assistance programme which offer one-to-one support from our trained psychotherapists.
7. Wellbeing walking clubs
   Get a group together to go for a walk in a green space. Are you still working from home? Then arrange to walk at the same time and share some pics and comments. Forest bathing is proven to improve mental health and wellbeing.
8. Wellbeing training
   Our mental health trainers and therapists deliver mental health training from one-to-one sessions to mental health for managers training and government approved level 2 NVQ’s in mental health awareness and mental health first-aid. Complete the form to set up a free consultation on designing a bespoke mental health training programme for your employees.
9. Wellbeing work pets
   Therapy pets are proven to reduce stress. Ask someone to bring in their pouch if regulations allow. Watch out for allergies though.
10. Wellbeing audit
    Probably the most important thing you can do is speak to an expert. Our workplace wellbeing audits are a great way to start to develop the workplace culture. Alternatively, try a free workplace wellbeing consultation.