Mental Health Month- Stigma Free Workplace

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May is a month when we celebrate mental health awareness.

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During this month, we all shall raise awareness, fight stigma, and try to provide support for people with mental illness and their families.

The last two years have shown us some universal truths about ourselves. Now we can clearly see that mental health is as important as physical health. Mental health is not only psychological state, but it also includes emotional and social well-being.

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If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that humans are hardwired to connect.

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The time in isolation made us realize the value of human connections. The sense of closeness and belongingness makes us thrive and excel in our private and professional life. 

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Raising awareness around mental well-being and addressing the struggles may be the key element for attracting and retaining great talents and helping them achieve the best results possible.

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The rising awareness about mental health results in reducing the stigma around it. Thanks to many initiatives throughout the recent years, mental health is no longer a shameful issue. This year, on the 13th of May, Prince William and his wife Kate interrupted all UK radio stations with a special message about mental health. Also, more and more famous people are coming forward to share their personal experiences. 

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What may cause mental illness?

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Often there is no single cause for mental disfunction. Usually, a few factors contribute to the risk for mental illness:

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• Trauma or a history of abuse or neglect (especially in the early years);

• Stressful life situations (e.g. divorce);

• Experiencing discrimination;

• Bereavement;

• Burnout;

• A dysfunctional family life;

• Difficult experiences related to other ongoing medical conditions (e.g.cancer);

• Social or cultural expectations;

• Chemical imbalances in the brain;

• Substance abuse;

• Loneliness, social isolation.

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Many causes of mental health problems have an environmental background- stressful situations, work overload, and discrimination often happens in the workplace. Data shows that most people will spend more time in the workplace than at home and experience more exchanges with team members than with family members. Therefore, creating a culture of inclusivity, belonging, and diversity is the first step that can significantly influence the life of employees. 

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