“In recognition of World Mental Health Month, my name is Aimée Taylor-Reed, and I am a Mental Health First Aider at Park City Consulting.
This month I want to use this opportunity to raise awareness around mental health and talk about the importance of supporting your employees’ wellbeing.”
I want to address the significance of being dedicated to fostering a supportive and compassionate environment, not only for others but for yourself. Mental health is key to a positive productive workplace, and it affects us all.
Through this blog I’ll be sharing top tips on mental health, why you need to address it in the workplace, and how you can take action to support your team. At Park City, we believe by creating an environment where employees feel supported, businesses can thrive – because when your people are at their best, so is your business.
Mental health is our overall emotional, psychological and social wellbeing. It determines how we think, feel and interact with the world around us and impacts how we manage stress, build relationships and live a fulfilling life.
Good (positive) mental health is a state in which we can cope with challenges through resilience, maintain healthy relationships, and make meaningful contributions in our personal and professional lives. It can lead to a positive outlook, with feelings of control over our life and decision-making. It can help us to focus and be optimistic about accomplishing our personal goals.
Whereby, experiencing or having a condition that can cause poor (negative) mental health means we may be struggling with anxiety, depression, burnout, confused thinking or reduced abilities to concentrate. It may mean we are more prone to fear or worry, and much more which can impact an individual’s quality of life and day-to-day function. It can lead to a negative outlook in life, with feelings of entrapment, hopelessness, low self-esteem, and being pessimistic about accomplishing our goals.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines mental health as “a state of wellbeing in which every individual realises their own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to contribute to their community.”
This definition highlights that mental health is not just the absence of illness but a state of thriving where we can be our best selves and realising that sometimes, we need the support from others to get us there and that’s okay.
Mental health issues can have negative impacts on our day-to-day life, relationships and work performance, and can lead to anxiety, depression and other mental health challenges. These can affect anyone, regardless of age, background or circumstances, and if left unaddressed, can result in reduced productivity, increased absenteeism, and strained workplace relationships.
This year’s World Mental Health Day 2024 theme “It is Time to Prioritise Mental Health in the Workplace” emphasises the importance of organisations actively making mental health and wellbeing a top priority. Building a mentally healthy and positive workplace isn’t just about supporting employees in need – it’s about making wellbeing a core part of the company culture in the long term. Addressing workplace mental health is key to creating a supportive and productive environment for everyone.
At Park City, we partner closely with businesses to create a workplace culture where mental health truly matters, ensuring everyone feels valued and supported, and a part of a collaborative team.
Our approach is personalised – whether through tailored mental health training, updating workplace policies, or guiding your leadership, we work hard to help you weave wellbeing into the everyday fabric of your business.
From Mental Health First Aid training or setting up effective support systems, we’re here to make sure your managers and teams feel ready and well-equipped to navigate mental health challenges with confidence.
World Mental Health Day is on October 10th and aims to act as a reminder that our mental health matters and requires our ongoing attention and support. It’s a day to promote mental health education, reduce the stigma around mental health conditions, and encourage individuals and communities to take action to support their well-being and the well-being of others.
It’s important that we all support and encourage businesses to start talking about mental health, training staff to recognise signs of stress and burnout, and introduce mental health days or flexible working options to support the well-being and employees suffering from mental health issues.
It is also a reminder that employers have a legal responsibility – their ‘duty of care’ under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. This means they must do all they reasonably can to support their employees’ mental and physical health, safety and wellbeing.
As the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states – “just like any other safety or health hazard at work, work-related mental health issues must be assessed to measure the levels of risk to your staff and where a risk is identified, steps must be taken to remove it or reduce it as far as reasonably practicable”.
Building resilience and wellbeing is essential to maintaining positive mental health in today’s fast-paced world, for both inside and outside the workplace.
At home, this can be achieved through self-care, setting healthy boundaries and reaching out to friends, family or professionals when needed. Doing what brings you joy– whether it’s hobbies, relaxation or spending time with others– can have a positive impact on your mental wellbeing.
In the workplace, building resilience means fostering a supportive culture where employees feel encouraged and safe to prioritise their wellbeing and without being judged.
It’s about offering practical resources, creating space for open conversations, and recognising that self-care is a strength, not an indulgence.
When people feel empowered to take care of themselves, they’re more resilient, and the entire team benefits by reflecting this behaviour, because it then feels natural to.
The World Health Organisation says maintaining physical health through exercise, healthy eating and rest is key to supporting our mental health. By looking after body and mind we can cope better with life and be more resilient to our stressors.
From this, we have established that taking care of mental health at work is key to creating a positive, supportive environment where people feel they can embrace their challenges and thrive in the outcome.
This starts by building a caring work culture, offering mental health resources, and encouraging employees to put their wellbeing first. It is important employers contribute to breaking the stigma by promoting awareness and fostering open conversations around mental health.
In line with the theme for World Mental Health Day 2024’s theme “Prioritising Mental Health in the Workplace” Park City offers mental health training, online courses, and HR services to help reshape your company’s culture and drive wellbeing initiatives from the inside out. Learn more here.
World Mental Health Day is the perfect opportunity to shine a light on mental health and advocate for better support, both in the workplace and at home. By making mental health a priority, we can foster an environment where all employees can succeed.
As a Mental Health First Aider at Park City, I am committed to helping our employees and clients develop initiatives that promote mental health awareness and build supportive, caring workplaces.
Let’s work together to make a genuine difference in mental health awareness and support for everyone.
#StrongerTogether with Park City
