Mental Health: More than just a tick box exercise

In May each year there is a full week dedicated to mental health awareness. Some businesses take this opportunity to help their employees by adding extra services to their support package for that week. Some choose to help their staff by paying for additional training and workshops during that week. Others, well, other do nothing to support their staff in this vital area.

The question arises...... is that enough?

Is it enough to just focus on mental health awareness for just one week? Is it enough to offer a couple of different trainings or workshops during that week? Is it enough just to be more aware of mental health for one week our of fifty two? Maybe you could answer those questions in the comments below!

Here's the thing, people don't just suffer one week of the year. That one week might give them a bit of a short term lift or even offer them another 'coping strategy'. Life, however, should be about more than just coping. Life is about living! Mental health doesn't take a rest, have a break or go on holiday. When someone is suffering with poor mental health they experience it every single day. Therefore, should we not be focussing on mental health more often than just one week per year.

Mental Health: Who are you as a business?

If you are a business owner, leader or manager, it is up to you to decide what type of business you are. What is your business identity when it comes to your teams? What is your business identity when it comes to mental health? Is your business identity that of a "tick box exercise" or is it that of a caring, considerate and empathy driven organisation?

The benefits of stepping past the "tick box' mentality are well known and documented. Those businesses that take on increased mental health support for their staff see massive benefits. Increased staff retention, reduced absenteeism, improved productivity and efficiency and overall better moral and teamwork. What's not to like about that? 

In a previous blog post we gave you some facts and figures around helping your staff. Go on, check it out! But, if I may, I'll bring one into this post so I can reiterate it for you. Research shows that for every £1 / $1 etc. that a business spends on mental health support they see a 800% ROI. I'm going to guess that you won't find any sort of investment opportunity that will offer you that type of return.

Make mental health an everyday subject

It's time that mental health became more than a tick box exercise. So, right here and right now I challenge you to make it an every day subject in your business. If you need help with this, we are here for you. We have packages that offer one-to-one sessions and regular, monthly or fortnightly, trainings and workshops. Take a look around your teams and remember...... 1 in 4 people will suffer this year! How many people in your team is that? On average, the businesses who we work with see 18-20% of their staff requesting sessions with our coaches.

When you are ready to make a difference, we can help.

Get in touch today!