At Vivo Talent Solutions, both caring and nurturing is embedded in our four core values and is of great importance for both our clients, candidates and employees. We take mental health matters seriously and have created an environment where our employees have a safe space to talk about the difficulties they face.
So how can employers help their employees with their mental health?
The first step is the most important, like Vivo Talent Solutions, employers can create a safe and comfortable environment. Having a business that has washed away the stigma of not being able to talk about these matters is key. Employers need to make themselves more approachable as this step of coming forward is often very challenging for many people.
A concept which is becoming well known is having a Wellbeing Wednesday or Wellness Wednesday’s. This is where a specific part of the day is dedicated to help manage work stress and mental health matters. Days like this are being carried out globally.
How is this possible during lockdown?
- Having a Wellbeing Expert or Counsellor that employees can go to. The BritishRedCross holds virtual mental health training courses that employers can take to help them spot the signs of poor mental health.
2. A specific day of the week where no meetings are held.
3. Meditation guides on hand.
4. Create fun team activities, such as a sponsored charity walk so there is an achievable target, creating a light competition.
5. The Great British Bake Off has won the heart of the British nation. A baking competition is always greatly received (As long as it’s not banana bread).
The charity MIND; Have created a Mental Health at Work Commitment Guide for employers to aid with mental health matters within the workplace.
We live in a society where we can now talk about mental health and so we should. Mental wellbeing matters, it always has.