In Asia Pacific, between 4-20% of the adult population suffers from a mental health condition. That means your employees are likely to be affected, whether you know it or not. That's especially true given that 45% of APAC employees say that they don't feel comfortable letting their employers know about their mental health struggles. Understandably, it's because of the stigma that still surrounds mental health in many workplaces.
However, as a responsible employer, you have the power to change that. While supporting your employees' mental health should be a year-round effort, World Mental Health Day 2024 is an excellent opportunity to initiate or strengthen your company's mental wellness practices.
We’ve compiled 10 World Mental Health Day activities that you can incorporate in your strategy to prioritize employee wellbeing, and show your employees that they're more than just a number to you.
When is World Mental Health Day 2024?
World Mental Health Day is celebrated on 10 October every year. The theme for World Mental Health Day 2024 is ‘It is Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace’, focusing on the connection between work and mental health, and promoting mental health practices in the workplace through different World Mental Health Day activities.
What is World Mental Health Day?
World Mental Health Day is an international day to raise awareness and advocate for mental health issues. It's a day dedicated to promoting open conversations about mental health, reducing stigma, and providing support to those struggling with mental health conditions.
It was first celebrated in 1992 by the World Federation for Mental Health and has since gained momentum as a global movement, recognized by the World Health Organization, among other international organizations. While different countries celebrate it in their own ways via diverse World Mental Health Day activities, the main aim remains universal - to bring attention to mental health.
Why Is Employee Mental Health Important?
Employee mental health directly affects the overall wellbeing and productivity of a workforce. According to a study by the WHO, mental health conditions cost the global economy an estimated $1 trillion annually in lost productivity. That's because mental health issues can lead to absenteeism, presenteeism (working while not fully functioning), and decreased job satisfaction.
As such, it's crucial for organizations to prioritize employee mental health to create a healthier and more productive workplace. This means not only addressing mental health issues when they arise but also promoting a culture of wellbeing and implementing preventative measures.
How Does Work Impact Mental Health?
Since employees spend a significant portion of their day at work, the company culture and environment can have a substantial impact on their mental health.
Factors like heavy workloads, long hours, job insecurity, lack of autonomy, and poor relationships with colleagues/superiors can all contribute to employee burnout, increased stress levels, and decreased wellbeing. The result is often decreased motivation and job satisfaction, leading to a negative impact on the organization's success.
In contrast, promoting positive mental health in the workplace can lead to higher employee satisfaction, better retention rates, and improved company culture. That's why it all starts and ends with creating a work environment that puts its employees' mental wellbeing at the forefront.
Read next: Building Your Employee Wellbeing Program Through HR Analytics
World Mental Health Day Activities
To join the global movement in promoting mental health awareness, here’s 10 World Mental Health Day activities for workplace that you can take inspiration from:
1. Conduct mindfulness and meditation sessions
Regardless of the industry, work can often be stressful, and with limited time for self-care, employees can easily become overwhelmed. On your World Mental Health Day activities agenda, encourage your employees to participate in mindfulness and meditation sessions. This can help them step away from their work-related stressors and focus on their mental wellbeing.
These could be guided meditation sessions where you bring in a professional instructor or simply provide designated quiet spaces for individuals to take a few minutes out of their day to relax and recharge.
2. Host mental health awareness workshops
While mental health awareness is increasing, there's still a lot of stigma and misinformation surrounding it. Among your World Mental Health Day activities, hosting workshops to educate employees on mental health, how to recognize the signs of someone struggling, how to support a colleague, and where to seek help can go a long way in breaking down barriers and creating a more supportive workplace.
To make the workshops more engaging and interactive, they could be hands-on sessions where employees can break into small groups and discuss specific scenarios or participate in role-playing activities.
3. Set up creative stations
When it comes to creative outlets, preferences among individuals can vary widely. Some may find solace in painting, others may prefer journaling, while others may find joy in listening to music.
Setting up creative stations with various World Mental Health Day activities (art therapy, music therapy, and journaling, for example) can give employees a chance to express themselves, and de-stress in a way that suits them.
4. Organize team workout or outdoor activities
Since positive relationships among colleagues are crucial for a healthy work environment, World Mental Health Day activities provide the perfect opportunity to encourage team bonding. One idea could be through physical activities that fall outside of their regular work tasks.
Whether it's a group yoga session, a hike, or a friendly sports game like volleyball, these activities can boost endorphins and reduce stress levels—all while having fun and fostering a sense of camaraderie.
5. Decorate the workplace
This may not be among your typical World Mental Health Day activities, but it can certainly have a positive impact on employees' wellbeing. Decorating your workspace with calming colors, positive affirmations, and inspirational quotes can create a more relaxing and uplifting atmosphere.
You'd be surprised at how much of a difference these small changes can create when it comes to making employees feel more comfortable and at peace during their working hours.
6. Promote EAPs within the workplace
Many companies offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), providing employees with resources such as counseling and crisis management services. However, these programs are often underutilized due to a lack of awareness or stigma surrounding mental health.
Among your World Mental Health Day activities, it's important to promote these services and raise awareness of their availability. Focus on educating employees on how to access these resources and assure them that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
7. Schedule mental health check-ins
Taking the first step towards improving mental health can be difficult for some employees. Even if they're in dire need of help, they may not know how to seek it, or may feel uncomfortable talking about their struggles.
One way to open the dialogue as part of your World Mental Health Day activities is to schedule mental health check-ins with employees. These can be informal and optional (and of course, confidential) 1-on-1 meetings, but they provide employees with an opportunity to speak openly about their mental wellbeing and seek support if needed.
8. Prepare a casual lunch and learn session
Food is always a great way to bring people together and the same goes for opening up discussions on mental health. Consider organizing a casual lunch and learn session where employees can come together, share a meal, and listen to informative presentations or personal stories related to mental health.
This is among the World Mental Health Day activities that create a safe space for employees to discuss their struggles and learn from others in a non-judgmental environment. The more people talk openly about mental health, the more normalized it becomes, and the stigma surrounding it can be reduced.
9. Encourage breaks and vacations
For a long time, taking breaks and using vacation time was seen as a sign of laziness or lack of dedication. The more someone worked, the more they were praised and seen as a hard worker. However, now we know that burnout as a result of overworking can have severe consequences on mental health.
During your World Mental Health Day activities, encourage employees to take breaks throughout the day and utilize their allotted vacation time. This helps them recharge, reduce stress levels, and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Also, express your support for mental health days and advocate for the idea that they're just as important as sick days.
10. Provide time and stress management training
Given that work is a major source of stress for many, and that the source of that stress is often related to time management, providing employees with training on how to manage stress and time effectively can be immensely beneficial for their mental wellbeing.
This can include techniques such as setting SMART goals, prioritizing tasks, and learning to say no when needed. Giving employees the tools to manage their workload and handle stress in a healthy way can not only improve their overall mental health but also increase job satisfaction.
Creating a Brighter Future for Your Workforce
Prioritizing employees’ mental health means better employee engagement, productivity, innovation, retention, and collaboration. Overall, an effective mental health policy is crucial for a good work-life balance.
It’s never too late (or too early) to introduce and incorporate these world mental health day activities in your organization. Start drafting your workplace’s mental health policy and actively promote these world mental health day activities for workplace today and begin to see higher employee satisfaction levels, increased productivity, and more cost savings!
Omni’s all-in-one HR software makes it easy to inform employees about important culture initiatives with automated onboarding and centralized documents, implement policies with our customized controls and unique employee profiles, and administer benefits through payroll, performance management, or time and attendance management for your teams.
From automated onboarding to employee-self service, Omni makes it easy for organizations to provide their teams with the tools and benefits they need to thrive.
Book your demo with our team to learn more about how Omni can help you create a brighter future for your workforce today.
