World Mental Health Day falls on 10th October each year, and the theme for the global campaign in 2024 is ‘It is Time to Prioritise Mental Health in the Workplace.’
World Mental Health Day was established in 1992 by the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH). For the past 32 years, the campaign has highlighted the importance of mental health and wellbeing through global events and initiatives.
This year, World Mental Health Day focuses on the “critical importance of mental health in professional settings,” a theme which was chosen through a global vote and which aligns with the founding principles of the WFMH, established in 1948.
The WFMH is an international membership organisation created to advance the prevention of mental health disorders and proper mental health care and treatment. Believing in a multidisciplinary approach and grassroots advocacy, it now has members and contacts in over 90 countries and works to promote positive mental health and wellbeing for citizens worldwide.
For the 2024 global campaign, they will be advocating for mental health in the workplace, engaging with employers, employees, organisations and stakeholders across the world to promote good mental wellbeing at work.
The aim this World Mental Health Day, explains the WFMH, is to help foster work environments “where mental health is prioritised, protected and promoted.”
World Mental Health Day addresses “urgent need and profound opportunity”
President of the WFMH, Tsuyoshi Akiyama, says the theme ‘It is Time to Prioritise Mental Health in the Workplace’ is a “call to action that resonates worldwide,” and which “reflects the awareness of an urgent need and profound opportunity.”
In his official message for World Mental Health Day 2024, he added:
“Employed adults spend more time working than any other activity during their waking hours. In a myriad ways, and at its best, work can provide a livelihood and be a source of meaning, purpose and joy.
“However, for too many people, work falls far short of its potential, failing to enhance our lives and detracting from our mental health and wellbeing in ways that result in excessive distress and mental ill health.
“Mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, are pervasive in workplaces globally, impacting productivity, attendance, and overall performance. When left untreated, the staggering economic cost is estimated at US$1 trillion annually by the WHO.
“The COVID-19 pandemic pulled the curtain back on the dramatic need to address mental health issues in the workplace. Today, around the world, enlightened leaders strive to meet their duty of care, recognizing that addressing the mental health needs of their workforce is not only beneficial for individuals but also for healthy and high-performing organisations.
“The data consistently demonstrate that prioritizing workplace mental health is good for people, companies, and communities.”
Individuals and organisations can get involved in World Mental Health Day 2024 and future campaigns by becoming a member of the WFMH, donating to support the work of the WFMH or becoming a local champion.
World Mental Health Day in the UK
In the UK, the Mental Health Foundation encourages people to check in with their friends, family, colleagues and peers on World Mental Health Day and beyond.
They cite the following statistics related to mental health at work:
- 15% of UK workers are estimated to have an existing mental health condition
- 875,000 workers suffered from work-related stress, depression and anxiety in 2022-23
- Mental health problems were the 5th most common reason for sickness absence among UK workers in 2022
They say that workplaces should support good mental health by boosting self-esteem and providing opportunities for connection, expression and fulfilment.
For World Mental Health Day, they are providing information and advice about creating mentally healthy workplaces and supporting people with their mental health at work. They also want to breakdown the mental health stigma that still exists in many UK workplaces, especially when it comes to severe mental health problems.
They say that factors which contribute to a mentally healthy workplace include:
- The provision of staff training on mental health
- Appointing Mental Health First Aiders for the Workplace
- Mental health policies and support mechanisms
- Action and policies to tackle discrimination and bullying
- Supporting open conversations about mental health
You can download the Mental Health Foundation’s checklist for creating mentally healthy workplaces.
Safeguarding mental health at work
Employers and businesses have a legal duty to protect the health, safety and welfare of their staff while at work. This includes identifying and controlling risks to their mental health and welfare and taking steps to support mental health at work.
Employees can also take proactive steps to safeguard their own mental health. The Mental Health Foundation outlines 10 key ways in which people can help to support their own mental health and build their emotional resilience. This World Mental Health Day, why not try practising a few? They include:
- Talking about your feelings – this can help you maintain your mental health and deal with difficult times.
- Being mindful of your activity levels – regular movement of any form can boost your self-esteem and can help you concentrate, sleep, and generally feel better.
- Eating well – a diet that is good for your physical health is also good for your mental health.
- Drinking sensibly – try to limit alcohol, as it can affect your mood in a negative way and impact your overall health and wellbeing.
- Managing your relationships – relationships are key to our mental health. Try and make sure you maintain your friendships and family relationships even when work is intense – a work–life balance is important. Working in a supportive team is also hugely important for our mental health at work.
- Asking for help – your employer may offer free, confidential support services. The first port of call in the health service is your GP. Your GP may suggest ways that you or your family can help you, or they may refer you to a specialist or another part of the health service.
- Taking a break – a change of scene or a change of pace is good for your mental health.
- Doing something you’re good at – enjoying yourself can help reduce stress. Doing an activity you enjoy probably means you’re good at it, and achieving something boosts your self-esteem.
- Accepting who you are – be proud of who you are. Recognise and accept the things you may not be good at, but also focus on what you can do well.
- Caring for others – caring for others is often an important part of keeping up relationships with people close to you.
Get involved in World Mental Health Day 2024
The Mental Health Foundation encourages people to celebrate World Mental Health Day with a Tea & Talk with friends, family, colleagues or their local community.
The annual events raise vital funds for mental health while also encouraging people to get together to talk openly about mental health, breaking down taboos and tackling stigma. Last year, over 260,000 people held a Tea & Talk for World Mental Health Day 2023.
People can also show their support by making a donation to support the work of the Mental Health Foundation.
The foundation provides a wide range of resources for World Mental Health Day, including posters and social media graphics. People are able to download these assets for free and share them on social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to help raise awareness of mental health in the workplace.
Supporters can also purchase a green ribbon to show their support for World Mental Health Day, the Mental Health Foundation and positive mental health for all.
Tag the Foundation – @mentalhealthfoundation – and use the hashtag #WMHD2024 to join in the conversation on social media and share what you have been doing to raise awareness of mental health this year.
Most importantly, the Mental Health Foundation offers advice, guidance and signposting to help people who are experiencing mental health problems – for World Mental Health Day and everyday of the year.
Calls to make mental health a national priority
Leading mental health charity Mind are also marking World Mental Health Day by providing campaign assets, sharing videos where people discuss their experiences of mental health, and asking people to join their call to the new UK government to make mental health a national priority.
Mind are calling on the government to address these 5 asks:
- Reform the outdated Mental Health Act
- Raise the standard of mental health hospitals
- Build a network of support hubs so young people can get mental health support before they reach crisis point
- Support people with mental health problems to thrive at work
- Make benefits assessments work for disabled people so everyone has a financial safety net when they need it
Meanwhile, Mentally Healthy Schools say that, for schools and colleges, this year’s theme of prioritising mental health in the workplace “means not only supporting the mental wellbeing of their students, but also prioritising the wellbeing of their staff.”
They are providing a free toolkit for schools with guidance and resources to support leadership teams and senior mental health leads to prioritise the wellbeing of staff as part of a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing. It also includes resources for staff to use to support their own mental health at work.
Spotlight on hospitality for World Mental Health Day
One sector which has seen a significant increase in mental health concerns is hospitality.
A recent wellbeing survey by Hospitality Action found that more than 3 in 4 hospitality workers (76%) have experienced mental health issues at some point in their careers. This compares to just over half (56%) in 2018, and 64% in 2020.
Nearly 7 in 10 (69%) had experienced mental health challenges since the Covid-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis took hold, with almost half (49%) having experienced these problems in the last 2 years alone, according to the industry-wide Taking the Temperature Survey.
The primary issues hospitality workers are likely to face in the next 12 months were identified as:
- Managing a good work/life balance (60%)
- Mental health (44%)
- Finances (42%)
When asked about the main challenges facing their workplace generally, hospitality workers reported that work/life balance (45%), high expectations and workload (43%) and long hours (40%) were the key issues.
All of these can contribute to poor mental and physical health. This is why the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) is currently running a campaign to tackle the ‘small print’ in employment contracts that leads to workers putting in long hours, often unpaid, and failing to find a good work/life balance.
Despite a prevalence of mental health concerns in the hospitality industry – and of the types of challenges which can exacerbate these issues – more than a third of hospitality workers said they did not believe their employer creates a work environment where mental health can be openly discussed.
Employers “must take the lead” on mental health at work
The Chief Executive of Hospitality Action, Mark Lewis, said:
“Despite significant progress in recent years reducing the stigma associated with mental health and wellbeing, it is evident that we still have a long way to go.
“Employers must take the lead by creating a work environment that prioritises a balanced work/life dynamic and which encourages open, honest discussions without fear of negative repercussions.
“The Covid-19 pandemic and cost-of-living crisis devastated our industry, as evidenced by these survey results and the surge in calls to our helplines. A fundamental, permanent shift in attitude towards mental health is essential to provide the crucial help and support needed to sustain a resilient and healthy workforce in our industry.”
Hospitality Action are hosting a Walk for Wellbeing in support of World Mental Health Day.
Learn to support mental health in the workplace
Mental health learning and development solutions can play a significant role in helping people to recognise risk factors and proactively support positive mental wellbeing across the UK.
First Response Training (FRT) is a leading national training provider delivering courses in subjects such as health and safety, first aid, fire safety, manual handling, food safety, mental health, health and social care and more.
An accredited Mindful Employer themselves, FRT’s specialist mental health training courses include Understanding Mental Health, Mental Health Awareness in the Workplace, Managing Stress, Anxiety and Phobias Awareness, Self-Harm Awareness and Suicide Awareness.
They can also provide qualified, approved trainers to deliver accredited Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training courses, including the Adult, Youth and Lite versions.
A trainer from FRT says:
“We spend a significant portion of our lives at work and so its essential that we feel happy and supported while we are there, and that promoting positive mental health is part of the workplace culture.
“This was a key message of the recent International Week of Happiness at Work and it’s also the central theme this World Mental Health Day.
“Training is a positive way in which we can help to support and promote positive mental health in the workplace as it provides staff with essential information, knowledge and skills to offer support to each other and enable them to build their own emotional resilience at work and beyond.
“It also demonstrates that an organisation is serious about mental health and wellbeing and that they are happy to have open conversations about mental health, which is vitally important.”
Resources to support mental health and wellbeing
In support of World Mental Health Day and promoting positive mental health at work at any time of year, you can download our free guide to ‘Promoting Mental Health at Work.’
A brief summary of our mental health training can now be downloaded as an infographic.
We also have a number of other free infographics available to download which provide simple tips for helping to manage your mental wellbeing. These include:
- Managing Stress at Work
- Manage Your Stress at Work
- Manage Your Stress
- Support Your Mental Health
- Connect With Nature
- Work Well From Home
- Anxiety Factsheet
- Manage Your Anxiety
- Managing Panic Attacks
You can also download our free Guide to Mental Health Training from our website.
For more information on the training that FRT can provide, please call them today on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.