Mental Health Awareness Week is an annual event scheduled for Monday, May 13th through to Sunday, May 19th, 2024.
Organised by the Mental Health Foundation, this campaign aims to raise awareness about mental health issues, promote open conversations, and encourage support for those affected.
Why is this event important?
Mental Health Awareness Week provides a platform to address the prevalence of mental health conditions and reduce the stigma surrounding them. It serves as a reminder to prioritise mental wellbeing and to foster a supportive environment for individuals to seek help and access resources. The week also encourages everybody to reflect on their own mental wellbeing, promoting self-care and understanding.
This year’s theme is “Movement: Moving more for our mental health”. From the Mental Health Foundation website:
“Movement is important for our mental health. But so many of us struggle to move enough. We know there are many different reasons for this, so this Mental Health Awareness Week we want to help people to find moments for movement in their daily routines. Going for a walk in your neighbourhood, putting on your favourite music and dancing around the living room, chair exercises when you’re watching television – it all counts!”
Supporting Employees’ Mental Wellbeing
Employers can play a vital role in implementing supportive measures and creating a workplace that prioritises everybody’s mental health. Here’s how:
Promote Open Conversations: By encouraging open, empathetic discussions about mental health in the workplace, employers can build a safe space for employees to share their experiences and concerns.
Provide Mental Health Resources: Offer information about mental health services, hotlines, and support groups to employees, ensuring they are aware of the resources available to them. We provide some resources later in this article.
Flexible Work Arrangements: Introduce flexible work hours or remote work options to accommodate individuals who are struggling, to help them deal with mental health challenges and recover. The same should apply to those with caring responsibilities; they may need additional time and flexibility if a family member is experiencing poor mental health.
Training and Workshops: Organise workshops or training sessions focused on stress management, mindfulness, and mental health first-aid to bring awareness and to equip employees with valuable coping strategies when they’re needed.
Promote Work-Life Balance: Encourage a healthy work-life balance by emphasising the importance of taking breaks and full annual leave allocations, as well as disconnecting from work after-hours.
Useful resources to highlight
- NHS: The NHS website provides information on mental health and how to seek help. https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/
- Mind: A mental health charity that provides information and support on a range of mental health issues. They offer online resources and support via local community branches. https://www.mind.org.uk/
- Samaritans: A charity that provides emotional support to anyone in emotional distress. They offer a helpline and email support. https://www.samaritans.org/
- YoungMinds: A mental health charity for children, young people and their parents. They provide information, advice and support on a range of mental health issues. https://youngminds.org.uk/
- Mindout: An online mental health service for the LGBTQ+ community. https://mindout.org.uk
- Black Minds Matter: A UK charity that connects Black individuals and families with free mental health services. https://www.blackmindsmatteruk.com/
- Urgent assistance: The NHS recommends that you call 111 if you, or somebody you know, is experiencing a mental health crisis or emergency. Call 999 if:
- someone’s life is at risk – for example, they have seriously injured themselves or taken an overdose
- you do not feel you can keep yourself or someone else safe
- A mental health emergency should be taken as seriously as a physical one. You will not be wasting anyone’s time.
