Discover your Genius: Wellbeing edition

A look behind the scenes at life as a Genius, this month focusing on mental health & wellbeing in the workplace.

Timeout for World Mental Health Day?

This week, we observed World Mental Health Day on 10th October. ?

For several years now, we’ve marked the occasion by giving all of our employees a ‘Genius Timeout Day’. That’s an extra day off to rest, recharge and prioritise their mental health. ?

Staff were encouraged to use the day however best suited them, whether that’s spending time with loved ones, taking on a challenge, or simply having a relaxing day away from the desk.?

Delivery Director Tom Barker told us how he intended to make the most of it:?

“I'm planning a day of walking around outside, as I definitely don't prioritise that enough usually. I also plan to visit this exhibition , from a musical scene that was quite impactful on my own mental health growth when I was younger. Coincidently, I get to see some live music in the evening too, which always brings me joy!”?

Our Mental Health First Aider network ?

World Mental Health Day is a timely reminder to raise awareness, but it’s just as important that we underline how to address mental health issues and support people all year round. ?

Our Wellbeing Hub is a useful resource for all staff, where we share content, information and initiatives designed to help people stay healthy in body and mind.?

This includes our Mental Health First Aider network, a group of volunteers across the company trained to be a first point of contact to listen and guide people to the support that they need. ?

This week, we also hosted a workshop delivered by our partners Wellbeing Partners, educating staff on how to improve and support positive mental health.??

World Suicide Prevention Day ?

10 September was World Suicide Prevention Day, an event which aims to help reduce stigma and encourage open conversations to prevent suicides.?

We supported the occasion with a company-wide talk and Q&A session led by People Business Partner, Alex McGuire (Assoc CIPD) uire.?

Alex is one of our Mental Health First Aiders and a Listening Volunteer for Samaritans, a?charity providing support to people in emotional distress, struggling to cope or at risk of?suicide. ?

He told us about the purpose of the day, how to find support and the benefits of volunteering, with a talk so inspiring that a number of Geniuses were motivated to follow his example. ?

Genius Volunteer Day ?

Volunteering can be one of many ways to support people’s mental health, including your own.?

At Genius Sports, all staff are entitled to an extra paid day off per year to volunteer for a charitable cause.?

Just in the past month, employees have taken part in a virtual speed mentoring session, a coordinated earth clean-up day and a tree planting initiative at the Hive, a hub for children and adults with special educational needs.?

Did you have a ‘timeout’ on World Mental Health Day? Let us know in the comments... ?