WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY – TODAY & EVERY DAY!
As part of World Mental Health Month, the Adecco Group Switzerland is exploring many different ways in which you can take responsibility for your own mental health.
We are interested in identifying tools and methods that could help not only our own employees, but workers everywhere, to support themselves or to seek this support from suitable sources.
Setting and meeting priorities
We spend a great deal of our lives at work. It therefore makes sense that we should regularly review the ways in which we organise our work. In doing so, we should try to minimise negative elements and stick to good habits that support and protect our well-being and mental health in the long term. It can be helpful to regularly monitor how our working style changes over time to ensure that we continue to prioritise the areas that matter to us. Ultimately, it is often the simplest steps we take that create the conditions we need to feel comfortable and bring our best selves to work.
There are many different paths – here’s how to find yours
For World Mental Health Month, we at the Adecco Group spoke to people from various countries and backgrounds about how they proactively manage their ways of working to improve their own mental health, and the positive impact this approach has had on them. Here are a few small excerpts of the stories shared:
‘I am someone with an invisible disability. However, my disability does not define who I am or what I can achieve in a professional working environment. Travel is my therapy. I love to travel. The act of moving is therapeutic. Travel challenges my ideas about what I can and cannot do, and offers me new ways of thinking to change my perspective. Travelling has helped me to deal with my mental health problems, step out of my comfort zone and become more resilient. I see it as a form of exposure therapy that helps me find my personal equilibrium.’ Dan Krefft, Content Strategist at Pontoon, from the USA
‘Mental health means everything to me. It means having a calm mind and being able to overcome the many obstacles life throws at me with relative ease and grace. Invest in your personal and professional development, be curious and willing to learn, and develop a deep sense of self-assurance. And nurture your network (family, friends and also your work team) – having a strong support system around you can make a real difference.’ Tee-Jay Ramnarain-Little, Head of Talent Promotions at LHH, from Melbourne, Australia
‘Exercise is the be-all and end-all, both in everyday life and at work. Particularly if you have an office job, exercise will help you to stay physically fit, but also to keep your mind active and your spirits up. Change up your working positions, step outside for meetings when possible and take time for friendly social interaction – especially at work.’ Kathrin Choffat, VP Human Resources at the Adecco Group Switzerland
Seek and accept help
The pandemic is another factor that has reduced the stigma surrounding mental illness in recent years and increased awareness of mental health in the workplace. Many larger companies now offer people or institutions that employees can contact for support with all kinds of problems. This is a good first port of call for help and advice. If you are not part of this group, you can also seek help privately. There are various services you can contact for support with both minor and major concerns. Here are a few examples (this list is not exhaustive):
- The Swiss association ‘Die Dargebotene Hand’:
Phone number: 143 – anonymous helpline for adults, operating 24 hours a day
143.ch – free advice via email or live chat
- Pro Mente Sana:
Phone: +41 (0)848 800 858 – free advice for those affected by mental illness and their loved ones
Promentesana.ch
- Pro Juventute:
Phone number: 147 – free, anonymous advice for young people via phone or text
147.ch – free advice via live chat
Do not be afraid
Mental health problems and mental illness, at work or otherwise, are more common than people often think. One in two of us will experience a mental disorder once in our lives1. Fortunately, these are usually very treatable and, in most cases, sufferers make a full recovery. However, this can only happen if they seek out treatment in the first place.
1pro mente sana: https://promentesana.ch (28.9.2023)