Let’s Talk Mental Health

October 10th marks World Mental Health Day. We know that mental health illness makes up 28% of the global disease burden, and that it is the largest cause of preventable disability. Therefore, today is a great opportunity to increase awareness around mental health.

Just as we all have physical health, we all have mental health. But too often mental health isn't given the same attention, the same commitment, the same respect and the same care. From governments, to institutions, to families and to the affected individuals themselves – there's often a harmful lag between the onset of a condition and the care thereof. It doesn't have to be that way. Globally, I'd like to see society progress towards "parity of esteem" – the principle where mental health must be given equal priority to physical health.

I believe that, at Swiss Re, we're more and more giving it the focus it deserves. Thanks to a mental health grassroots initiative by employees, started in 2017, mental health awareness, understanding and acceptance at Swiss Re has never been greater. The members of our network, a constantly growing community, are always there to listen with care and without judgement. Since last year, the mental health first aid trainings (among our colleagues, we already have more than 75 mental health first aiders, as well as several instructors). At Swiss Re we strive to foster a workplace environment that is fully inclusive, that allows all of us to bring our full self to work, to freely and safely be who we are – and that, of course, includes our mental health.

Finally, let me close with a word to our Mental Health Champions: I love what you're doing and my challenge and charge for you is to do even more of it. As a company, it is our stated purpose to make the world more resilient – and we can't do that without the resilience of our own people.