Neuroinclusivity Improves Mental Health

By now, you should all be aware that this is Mental Health Awareness Week. The theme for this year is movement – exercise, getting outside, running, walking. I’ve seen lots about sponsored walks and runs, a resurgence of the walking meeting and a wonderfully innovative and exceptionally well subscribed company treasure hunt.

?While I love these initiatives and wholeheartedly approve of the movement theme, there are some other ways to promote wellbeing and mental health in the workplace. Introducing some simple mechanisms designed to support individuals and diversity is a great place to start.

?The CIPD Neuroinclusion at Work Report 2024, published in February, showed that 63% of organizations saw significant improvements to employee wellbeing just from focusing some of their attention on being neuro-inclusive. When you start to add in the other reported benefits that accrue as a result, like recognisable improvements in the culture of an organization and noticeable improvement in the quality of people management, the value of taking a neuroinclusive approach quickly becomes clear.

?And that’s because, as Brian said in that great Monty Python scene, we “are all different. [We] are all individuals”. We are, in fact, all neurodiverse. So when an organization starts to prioritise the wellbeing and mental health of the individual, everybody benefits. And the knock on effect is a happier, more productive, more engaged workforce, who naturally want to contribute more to the success of the company.

?So, during your next walking meeting, sponsored walk or treasure hunt, take some time to talk to your colleagues about how you might promote a neuro-inclusive environment. It will go a long way to improving everyone’s mental health.