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A study by Oxford University of over 46,000 workers recently showed that there was no evidence that individual-focused mental health interventions actually improved mental health. 🧠 That's a big deal. Considering how many people have work-related stress, depression or anxiety, you'd hope that this action would help to reduce it. So, what does? According to the study, organisation-level changes are needed to really make a difference. And this week is World Well-Being Week, so it's the perfect time to start. Employers have a legal (and moral) duty of care to their employees, which includes their well-being. What can you do, as an employer or leader? Well, here are some suggestions: 📆 Address the things that cause stress and reduce the demands on employers. Assess workloads, hours and breaks. Give employees more control over their work schedules and patterns, and introduce family-friendly policies like a good amount of paid leave. 🗣️ Create a positive workplace culture. Be supportive and encourage other leaders to be the same. Encourage open communication and honest feedback. Recognise and reward good performance fairly. 🏃🏽♂️ Prioritise work/life balance. Give reasonable hours and discourage overwork. Offer mental health days, support exercise and relaxation, and offer flexible and remote work options, if possible. 📚 Invest in training and career development. Employees need room to grow their skills and advance. Provide opportunities for them to take courses, and cross-train them to other roles to avoid siloing skills. 📝 Ensure the workplace is safe. That means providing ergonomic equipment and performing risk assessments. Address discrimination, harassment and unfair treatment to help you build an inclusive workplace. It's a lot, we know. And you might baulk at the idea of cost. But in the end, you'll be saving so much money from people being in work rather than off sick. 💰 More importantly, your staff will be happy and healthy, you'll have less staff turnover and more loyalty, and you'll be able to attract great talent, too. Think of the bigger picture. We've created an extensive collection of Mental Health & Well-being courses to offer expert advice on topics like stress, anxiety and panic attacks through to cyberbullying and drug abuse advice. We've also created a special blog all about boosting workplace happiness by putting employee well-being at the forefront. It's critical to offer your support, so start today by reading this useful blog! 👇🏻 #wellbeing #workplacewellbeing #worldwellbeingweek

One of the main reasons I created EllaVoice was to encourage and support companies to upgrade their well-being offerings. Focused on the individual and created from an evidence based approach. The World Economic report below highlights some really eye opening information: “One out of every two people globally are expected to develop a mental health disorder in their lifetime.” Companies now have a chance to become more than just a workplace for people but somewhere each person can truly grow, heal, connect, learn, and become better humans. We want to see people at work gifted the chance to upgrade into the best version of themselves. This will make you, the employer everyone talks about and where people want to be. Simple data collection is not enough now to truly reflect the effectiveness of your well-being initiatives and in a technology saturated world, the most meaningful way to measure effectiveness? Ask your people. Gift them what they need, when they need it with interventions that work with them and continue to support them. I have been saying this for years and now to see it in a highly regarded report is wonderful! The future of workplace well-being is individual. A holistic approach that takes into account a persons needs and feelings and reflects the diverse drivers of individual well-being. Employee wellbeing enhances company performance leading to company success. These are not my words ( although it is my opinion) this is the result of studies carried out at the University of Oxford. Music and voice work not only align with global standards but are the most researched and studied wellness tools out there. And absolutely EVERYONE can benefit.

The workplace, once seen primarily as a place of productivity and professional growth, is now viewed as a major factor in employees’ overall well-being. But whose responsibility is it to foster a culture where employees feel valued, supported, and understood? In recent years, prioritising mental health has become increasingly talked about with honest discussions, welcoming forums and ways to break the stigma. Yet, due to the pressures of covid-19 and violent conflict around the world, poor mental health was the reason for around 51 percent of long-term sick leave at the workplace last year.  World Mental Health Day is celebrated annually on 10 October. The occasion gives millions across the world the opportunity to highlight mental health and its importance in our everyday lives. This year’s official theme is a call to action; “It is time to prioritise mental health in the workplace.”  According to the American Psychological Association, 57 percent of US workers experienced negative impacts because of work-related stress in 2023, implying that pressures of work followed employees into their personal lives.  “Many of us spend a large proportion of our days and thoughts in our work and the separation between the workspace and the home spaces have become more blurred,” says Meera Ebrahim, a counsellor and Chair of the Aga Khan Health Board in the UK. “Digital life means we can constantly stay connected to work beyond what may in the past be considered to be working hours. Although this can give us flexibility, it can also lead to less time when we protect ourselves through conscious downtime and this can in some cases lead to burnout.” Poor working conditions, such as excessive workloads, low job control, and job insecurity, can pose significant risks to mental health. “Anxiety can be driven by pressure to perform - academically, athletically, artistically, interpersonally, socially, and in other roles,” says Dr Azaad Kassam, a psychiatrist based in Canada. “Recognize when you are in distress and feeling unwell,” Dr Azaad continues. “Set boundaries with your place of work. We need distance from our places of work—physically and virtually. Reset the balance in your life with healthy living, relationships, and faith. Stop and ask for help sooner rather than later.” Many workplaces have policies that prohibit discrimination against health issues - including mental health. If you’re struggling with something, and still feel unsure or apprehensive about approaching your employer, consider the following checklist: Choose the right time and place: Place where you won’t be interrupted. Be prepared: Reflect feelings to ensure clarity. Use “I” statements: Express your experiences clearly. Be honest and direct: Clearly state your intention without ambiguity. Show openness: Listen to feedback & consider. Maintain professionalism: Focus on work. Propose solutions: Suggest support. Follow up: Thank them and keep communication open for future discussions.

As the world of work continues to evolve, so too does the importance of our well-being. The mental health of employees is becoming a priority for employers and it's clear that taking steps to ensure our well-being is vital, both for our happiness and productivity. As part of Spencer Ogden's commitment to wellbeing, we have signed the @Time To Change employer pledge. This is a UK accreditation that recognises what we already have in place globally for the wellbeing of our people as well as our tangible action plan that shows our commitment to continue to develop and improve wellbeing in the workplace. From training courses specifically addressing wellbeing, financial and mental health workshops, regular volunteering days and private healthcare for all employees to name a few benefits/initiatives we aim to support all 4 pillars of wellbeing: 1) Financial 2) Mental 3) Social 4) Physical Below is a great article from Headspace with some pretty impactful stats if you want to start the conversation in your workplace. #WellbeingAtWork #MentalHealthAwareness #PositiveWorkEnvironment

Mental wellness in the workplace has become essential as employees increasingly seek supportive environments. Organizations that prioritize mental health see improved productivity, reduced absenteeism, and higher employee retention. Mental wellness should be central to workplace policies to address the ongoing mental health crisis and enhance overall job satisfaction. Great read from this article. https://lnkd.in/gtQewvav

Recent studies highlight how workplace flexibility, security, and autonomy can significantly impact employees' mental health. Fostering work environments that value these qualities enhances employee morale and mental wellness, improving both engagement and productivity. How does your workplace support flexibility, security, and autonomy? #Wellness #MentalHealth #FlexibleWorking #TakeCareOfYourPeople https://lnkd.in/gKnmqenJ

Why do I need a sustainable workplace mental health & wellbeing strategy? 3. PRESENTEISM: hashtag #Presenteeism is defined as reduced hashtag #productivity at work due to health problems. It occurs when someone attends work despite being either physically or mentally unwell. Although, in most cases, they will be trying to work as hard as usual, their productivity and quality of work suffers because of how they’re feeling. This creates a ‘productivity gap’ between how productive they would usually be and what they can achieve while unwell. Presenteeism is costly for employers who are paying the same amount for lower quality or less work, as well as harmful to the person doing it and potentially those around them. https://bit.ly/45GyGeT 🧠 37% of businesses reported problems with ‘presenteeism’ in 2023 🧠 It costs UK employers between £26bn and £29bn annually through lost productivity. 🧠 80% of firms acknowledged that employers have some responsibility for workplace mental health issues 🧠 Better mental health support in the workplace can save UK businesses up to £8 billion annually. The cost of presenteeism is high, as not only does it cause productivity to drop, costing employers money, but it also adversely impacts workplace morale, health and safety and the wellbeing of employees.

Why do I need a sustainable workplace mental health & wellbeing strategy? 3. PRESENTEISM: hashtag #Presenteeism is defined as reduced hashtag #productivity at work due to health problems. It occurs when someone attends work despite being either physically or mentally unwell. Although, in most cases, they will be trying to work as hard as usual, their productivity and quality of work suffers because of how they’re feeling. This creates a ‘productivity gap’ between how productive they would usually be and what they can achieve while unwell. Presenteeism is costly for employers who are paying the same amount for lower quality or less work, as well as harmful to the person doing it and potentially those around them. https://bit.ly/45GyGeT 🧠 37% of businesses reported problems with ‘presenteeism’ in 2023 🧠 It costs UK employers between £26bn and £29bn annually through lost productivity. 🧠 80% of firms acknowledged that employers have some responsibility for workplace mental health issues 🧠 Better mental health support in the workplace can save UK businesses up to £8 billion annually. The cost of presenteeism is high, as not only does it cause productivity to drop, costing employers money, but it also adversely impacts workplace morale, health and safety and the wellbeing of employees.

Recent studies highlight how workplace flexibility, security, and autonomy can significantly impact employees' mental health. Fostering work environments that value these qualities enhances employee morale and mental wellness, improving both engagement and productivity. How does your workplace support flexibility, security, and autonomy? #Wellness #MentalHealth #FlexibleWorking #TakeCareOfYourPeople https://lnkd.in/eiNASDeS

#worldmentalhealthday has been a significant event since its launch in 1992. The day aims to raise awareness, promote mental health, and encourage support for mental ill-health worldwide. It’s an especially significant day for Mind & Mission as on this day 6 years ago we launched! Over the years, it has grown in relevance as mental health became a key societal concern. In 2024, the theme is "Prioritising Mental Health in the Workplace,” something that has always been a key focus at Mind & Mission. The primary goal of World Mental Health Day is to break the stigma surrounding mental health. Mental illness affects millions of people globally, yet it remains a topic that is often under-prioritised in the workplace. Observing this day provides an opportunity to encourage dialogue and education and it offers a platform for advocating for better mental health policies and resources.  It also allows people to unite across countries, cultures, and backgrounds to emphasise that mental health decline can affect any one of us. The 2024 theme of workplace mental health is especially timely.  Excessive workloads, lack of support, and toxic cultures lead to unhealthy work environments. The Health and Safety Executive’s latest figures suggest over 17 million working days are lost due to work-related stress anxiety or depression. Much research now shows that employers who prioritise investment in wellbeing not only see significant returns on investment but are contributing to Environmental and Social Governance. That is in addition to the moral responsibility of course.    It’s increasingly important to recognise that it is not the sole responsibility of an employer to ensure an individual remains mentally healthy; something that occasionally gets lost in translation. As work-related mental health problems now account for half of the total work-related absence (including workplace injury) employers are being called upon to take more proactive steps to tackle unhealthy work environments. One of the key issues remaining is the safety to disclose mental health concerns to management or to raise issues regarding unhealthy practices, for example the expectation to work while on holiday. When employees feel safe to raise concerns without fear of negative repercussions, they are more likely to seek help. In our opinion this remains the critical obstacle to reducing the number of days absence from its highest point since records began. Flexible work arrangements have gained prominence, particularly in the wake of the pandemic, which have arguably provided opportunities for companies to reduce stress and improve work-life balance.      World Mental Health Day is another timely reminder and opportunity for employers to reflect on how they can create cultures that value and support mental well-being.   If you need support please call us https://lnkd.in/exg_4_Fq