WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY 2021: EMPLOYING MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT AT WORK
Celebrated during the 10th of October every year, World Mental Health Day aims to bring awareness of mental health issues and exert efforts to support mental health throughout the world. This day gives an opportunity to everyone who’s working on improving to address mental health issues as a taboo subject and providing every action they can take to make mental health care a reality for everyone.
This 2021 has its theme of, ‘ Mental Health in an Unequal World’ relating it to what the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to us including our mental health. People who are particularly affected were those who have been under pre-existing mental health conditions, services for those who are under neurological disorders, health and other frontliners, people living alone, students, and employees. Indeed, almost everyone has been affected by the pandemic, most especially when a lockdown was implemented. It totally disrupted the normal routines of people which in turn affect the mental being of every individual.
Given this, companies had to adjust and realign their goals and objectives due to the fact that they had to work under the new normal business setup. This includes how they would take care of the well-being of their employees to prevent them from getting burn out and in what ways they could be of their maximum support to help them cope with the sudden 180-degree change that the Covid-19 pandemic has brought.
At the Women in Tech forum, we strive to be a safe space for everyone in the organization, where mental health concerns are openly discussed and supported. Here are some implementing strategies that will be of great help to support the mental health of our employees.
What is Mental Health?
According to the World Health Organization, it is an integral and essential component of health, a state of well-being where an individual can know one’s abilities, can handle the normal stresses of life, productively works, and is able to make one’s contribution to society.
Unlike physical health, mental health issues cannot be seen by others with their own eyes, nor can they feel that something has been going on with someone’s mental health. It is difficult to determine why most people think that it is just something made up, making it even harder for people who’ve been battling with it. But mental health issues are real and today, it has been more prevalent because of the society we live in.
Signs and symptoms may vary depending on the disorder, circumstance, and other factors of mental illness. So how can we be of great help to someone who is going through a mental health issue?
– Have an open and no-judgment discussion with him/her concerns
– Do not try to diagnose them based on your understanding
– Keep the discussion by asking open-ended questions
– Listen attentively to what they tell
– Encourage him/her to get a professional care
If you’re experiencing mental health issues, do not hesitate to ask for help from your loved ones or those you trust. Remember that there are people who are ready and willing to help you to overcome it.
Anyone can have it, even the healthiest person alive. It can be anyone from your family, friends, colleagues, peers who have it but is unable to speak up because it is regarded as a taboo subject. This is ultimately why Mental Health Word Day is being celebrated, to raise awareness and give hope to everyone who’s been struggling to fight it.
Remember, your mental health matters. You matter.