Join us in shining a spotlight on the importance of mental wellness—at home and at work—during Mental Health Awareness Month this May. Together, we can raise awareness and provide education that creates more supportive home and workplace environments.
We are proud to partner with organizations that are working to change the landscape of how mental health is viewed and responded to, both individually as well as collectively.
“In the past, companies didn’t traditionally talk about mental health, especially in environments like manufacturing,” says Kate Fisher, Sr. Dir ector, Global Health and Wellness at Cummins Inc. “The reality is, we can all struggle emotionally or mentally at some point, and the more we talk about it, the more we normalize it and equip people with the resources they need.”
As an HR or internal communication professional, you can help promote mental health awareness in several ways. Here are a few ideas:
Create a mental health campaign.
Develop a campaign highlighting how mental health is integral to our overall well-being and should be given as much care as our physical health. Use the intranet, videos, posters, social media or email newsletters, along with memorable slogans or hashtags, to help spread the message.
Read more: Here’s how two organizations are using mental health campaigns to foster open conversations about mental health.
Share employee stories.
Consider sharing employee stories about their experiences with mental health. This can help reduce stigma and create a more supportive workplace environment.
Regularly highlight mental health resources.
Make sure your employees know about available mental health resources, such as employee assistance programs (EAPs) or mental health hotlines. Ensure this information is easily accessible on the company intranet and is regularly included in mailers, posters, newsletters, etc.
Educate employees about mental health.
Hold training sessions or workshops to educate employees about mental health issues and how to support colleagues or family members who may be struggling. Sessions can be on a variety of topics, including burnout, stress, grief/loss, and children and mental health—all issues that likely touch many of your employees.
Encourage open communication about mental health.
Create a culture of openness and encourage employees to speak up about their mental health. The key to this is ensuring frontline managers are trained to respond appropriately and support employees who may be struggling.
Host an event to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month.
This could be a lunch-and-learn session, a mental health resources fair, or a guest speaker. Use this as an opportunity to broaden awareness and increase education about mental health.
By implementing these ideas, you can help encourage a culture focused on mental wellness. Mental Health Awareness Month is a great starting point for promoting a more supportive workplace environment around mental health.
Getting Started: Breaking the Stigma
Remember, though, for a real cultural shift, it’s vital to continue the mental health conversation beyond the month of May. Learn how to foster open conversations about mental health in the workplace with our Mental Health Communications toolkit! You’ll find inside:
- How communications can help prioritize mental health
- How to embrace conversations for a healthier culture
- Five ways to build resiliency in your workforce
- Strategies to help combat employee burnout
