Over 90% of employees surveyed by Heads Up (2014) believed that supporting mental health is important, but only 52% of people believe it’s being addressed. Here are five ways you can help integrate mental health initiatives into your workplace to raise awareness and increase overall participation in a holistic health program.
1. Discuss What’s Happening In Morning Or Weekly Meetings
It’s one thing to run a program, but for good participation rates, you need to promote it and show managerial support. Tell employees what’s going on and potentially share a ‘people win of the week’.
2. Get Active During Lunch Breaks Or Go For Walking Meetings
Time and time again, exercise has been proven to help with depression and poor mental health. Exercise also helps with problem-solving. Get out into the fresh air either on your lunch breaks or organise walking meetings with others.
3. Hold Healthy BBQs Or Friday Lunch
Organise an event based on a healthy meal. Use this opportunity to discuss food and mood. Too much processed food has been linked to poor mental health and ‘slumps’ in energy levels. Having foods with omega 3’s such as salmon and walnuts can help boost good mental health as well as regular fresh fruit and vegetables.
4. Host Mindfulness Moments
Organise a 2-minute slot either on the back of a regular meeting or on a Monday morning after lunch where you and your team can pop on a meditation app or a timer and give just a couple of minutes to focusing on your breath.
5. Organise More Work Social Events
Socialising and feeling included is a critical part of good health. Creating different events at work like mini-challenges or group lunches or activities outside of office hours like lawn bowls or a family day is a great idea to create a supportive and inclusive culture.
It’s important to have a robust strategy with a series of different initiatives for a successful health and wellbeing program. Taking on some of the tips we’ve suggested here can help boost awareness and participation as well as showing the connection between mental and physical health.
Interested to find out more? Contact the team now to book a confidential discussion about how to support your workforce with an integrated wellbeing program.
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