Tackle mental health stigma at work

Did you know that over a quarter of adults say they’ve felt so anxious that it’s stopped them from doing things they want to do? Anxiety is one of the most common mental health conditions our society faces at the moment. Anxiety in the workplace can have significant mental and physical side effects for the individual, as well as impacting team productivity and absence rates within organisations. Ahead of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week, I take a look at what anxiety is, how prevalent it is in the workplace and how organisations can better support their employees’ mental health. #WorkingForYourTomorrow #MentalHealthAwareness #WorkplaceAnxiety #MHAW #WorkplaceMentalHealth #WorkplaceWellbeing #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek

It is #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth! One of the key themes in focus this year is #anxiety. ? This is a particular interesting theme because everyone can have anxious feelings but not everyone is experiencing the full spectrum of symptoms that anxiety can bring. More than often, this aspect can discourage people to disclose or be open about their anxiety because they fear others might not understand or take their experience seriously. ? While well intended, sometimes we tend to minimize someone else's experience of anxiety by trying to relate our own but, it's important to pause and create a safe and supportive space for everyone to share their feelings and emotions. ? When you live with severe mental illness, anxiety can reach a whole new level. Stigma. Discrimination. Lack of support. Loneliness. Sleep deprivation. Side effects of medication. Mania. Psychosis. Compulsions. Mental exhaustion. It can be a constant companion and can exacerbate other mental illness. ? As we bring more awareness on mental health, it's important to remember that anxiety can manifest in many ways and affect people differently depending on their experiences and circumstances. ? If you or someone you know is experiencing anxiety or other mental health related conditions, know that you are not alone. It's okay to reach out for help, whether that means talking to a trusted friend or family member, seeking professional support, or accessing resources through your workplace or community. #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #MentalHealth #MentalHealthWeek #Anxiety #AnxietyDisorders #DiversityInclusion #Belonging #Wellbeing ? ID: Landscape poster graphic white with bold green squiggly lines. Text reads: “Anxiety is a common feeling that sometimes gets out of control”. Designed for Mental Health Awareness week by Mental Health Foundation.

Mental Health Awareness Week only makes up 7 out of the 365 days in the year. And year after year, I watch the mental health conversation disappear as soon as its over. 358 days of silence. I want this year to be different. We need to keep talking about it before, during and after. Many of us still don't truly understand the impact that mental ill-health can have on someone's life and the importance of awareness. Just one conversation around the lunch table at work can make someone feel comfortable enough to reach out for support. It can be life-changing. Do your part and reach out to a friend, a colleague, a sibling, a son, even a LinkedIn connection who might be struggling. Just check in on them. I know sometimes it can be hard to know where to start, but remember the Everymind at Work resources are there for you all year round. You can access our?how to talk about mental health resource in the link below. We're in this together, let's keep the conversation going. #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealth