The theme for mental health month this year continues to be ‘Share the Journey’. This is a very powerful message. As it calls upon us to take shared responsibility for looking after ourselves and one another. The research consistently tells us that at any given time approximately 1 in 4 people are experiencing either depression or anxiety, and over a lifetime at least half of us will have experienced a mental health episode. People who experience mental health concerns report feeling isolated. As life gets busier, and in a world that seems to move at frantic pace, it can be easy to become a passive part of the community that you belong to, and even passive in relation to your own self-care. How often do you hear yourself or someone else say that they would like to be more active in their community, or to help others or to take better care of themselves, but there simply isn’t time.
The message that I’m taking from the mental health month theme is that it is incumbent on us to take proactive steps toward looking after our own mental health and that of others around us. Every action has an effect and it is our aim here at AccessEAP to lead by example when it comes to positive mental health in the workplace and to encourage others to do the same. We have recently reviewed our Mental Health and Wellbeing policy, and one of the core themes is that of dual responsibility. We commit to providing employees with a variety of services, resources, and mechanisms, that support their mental health and we encourage our employees to take up these offerings. Each individual is responsible for participating in these activities or services, and initiating their own self-management strategies for positive mental health. We encourage everyone to take responsibility for their own self-care as everyone has individual needs.
Different self-care strategies are effective for each person and each team, and by providing a supportive framework, people can choose the best options for them. We “walk the talk” by offering the same opportunities we offer our customers and their employees especially in education and awareness. We take a holistic view of the factors contributing to mental health outcomes, and understand the strong links between physical health and mental health symptoms. In recognition of this, we offer and encourage options for employees to look after their physical health, e.g. flexibility in working hours to attend gym or yoga classes, fresh fruit, mindfulness activities.
At times we all need someone to provide a gentle reminder that we need to pay attention to ourselves. Self-awareness and insight are not always forthcoming when in the midst of emotional challenges or times of stress. We have Wellbeing champions within each team, to identify the needs of the team, to encourage action and to share in the journey to wellbeing with their teammates (we call them AccessEAP Ambassadors).
Please call our 24 hour line or contact your Relationship Manager if you would like to discuss strategies for managing your own mental health, or supporting your team or organisation. Perhaps ask about our AccessEAP Ambassador Program. Positive mental health is a shared responsibility; yours and ours, and you are not alone.