Why Mental Health Day is Every Day

So here we are again, another #WorldMentalHealthDay and a ‘day’ when many people and organisations stop to talk about and raise awareness of mental health. National and International awareness days are important and do help create some much-needed focus, but as the Head Wellbeing at Capita talking about mental health is something we do almost every single day and a priority throughout the whole year.

We all have mental health, and some days this is better than others. Looking after our mental health is so important, just like it is for our physical health. As we all know, if you don’t look after your physical health, you risk something going wrong. It’s no different for mental health, we all need to help protect ourselves and try to prevent our mental health from deteriorating.

I’m often asked what it is we should be doing to look after our mental health; there’s not a single right answer as we are all human-beings, and we are very different. As a starting point, I respond by asking people to stop and think about what it is they do to make themselves feel better. Unfortunately, it’s all too often the response I get is either nothing or they are unsure. At Capita we are trying to help reverse this and encourage our colleagues to think about their ‘emotional hygiene’.

Most people spend time each day on their physical hygiene, and encouraging people to do the same for their emotional or mental health each day can have a huge positive impact. Simple things that make you feel better and you enjoy doing is all that’s needed, such as talking or connecting with someone, physical movement to help increase your heart rate, something that helps you relax or something that can help improve your sleep.

There are many other tips on emotional hygiene, and to be honest, everyone’s different, but here’s a few starters:

• Focus on your strengths. Rather than dwelling on your weaknesses or comparing yourself to others, try to recognise and appreciate your unique talents and abilities. Seek out projects or new skills that give you satisfaction and challenge you to grow
• Eat well and stay hydrated. Your diet can affect your mental health as well as your physical health. Try to eat a balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats. Avoid skipping meals, binge eating, or consuming too much caffeine, alcohol, or sugar. Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated and energised
• Take breaks and set boundaries. Working long hours without rest can harm your mental health and productivity. Make sure you take regular breaks throughout the day, and set clear boundaries between your work and personal life. Learn to say no to unreasonable demands and prioritise your wellbeing
• Pay attention to the present moment. Sometimes called mindfulness, focusing on the present moment, such as your current thoughts, feelings, your body or what’s around you can help you enjoy life more and understand yourself better. It can positively change the way you feel and how you approach challenges

Importantly, we know that things don’t always go according to plan. We’re working hard to ensure our colleagues understand they are not alone and feel safe to raise their hands and ask for support if they are struggling. We have lots of resources and tools that can help, as well as ensuring colleagues are sign-posted to the professional support they may also require. World Mental Health Day is every day for us at Capita, and we are developing long-term mental health plans to ensure we continuously improve what we do and our focus in this area.

Mark Campion

Head of Wellbeing & Occupational Health, Capita Plc