Thanks to our team at Serco for the fruitful and open discussions

Last month I had the privilege of delivering a workshop on mental health to my associates at Serco .

It was an emotional yet enlightening experience.

We delved into the critical topic of mental health in the workplace, which is often overlooked but of paramount importance.

Imagine this scenario:

You are a manager of 10 employees. One of your high performers starts showing signs of low productivity, poor quality of work, frequent absenteeism, and irritability. You try to offer support, but they seem reluctant to open up. This scenario is not uncommon in today's workplace. It underscores the importance of understanding and addressing mental health issues.

The statistics from the WHO – “Mental Health at Work” are staggering. (see source here)

Over half the world's population is employed, and 15% of working-age adults manage a mental disorder at any point in time.

?That's roughly 525 million adults.

• 301 million people were living with anxiety
• 280 million people living with depression
• 64 million people living with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder
• 703,000 die by suicide each year

In the last month alone, 77% of workers surveyed experienced work-related stress. Depression and anxiety disorders cost the global economy US$ 1 trillion annually due to reduced productivity. These numbers highlight the urgent need for action.

?During the workshop, we discussed the signs and symptoms of depression and anxiety. We explored the psychosocial risks to mental health at work, such as workload, work pace, and interpersonal relationships. We also talked about what we can do to create a mentally healthy workplace.

Regular check-ins, creating a safe space, and looking out for each other are just a few steps we can take.

?Supporting mental health at work means having regular check-ins, creating safe spaces, and looking out for each other.

?In my opinion, it is vital we

-?????? make mental health discussions normal.

Employees need to feel comfortable sharing their challenges, and leaders play a big part in making this happen.

By sharing our own experiences and supporting policies, we can foster a supportive culture. Partnering with organisations in the UAE like Takalam and The Lighthouse Arabia can also help raise awareness through specialist advisers.

This workshop was a step towards normalising mental health conversations at Serco. It was a reminder that we all have a role to play in creating a supportive and understanding workplace.?

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