Is that enough?….
October sees the arrival of #WMHD2024.
It’s over 70 years since the World Federation of Mental Health was formed.
It’s 32 years since the Federation introduced their annual world mental health day on 10th October. Each year, the focus is on a different theme. For 2024, the theme is…..
“It is time to prioritise mental health in the workplace”.
This is a global movement observed around the world. So, if businesses have embraced the critical need for positive mental health and wellbeing in the workplace – why do we still need an annual World Mental Health Day?
Could it be an annual focus for just one day is not enough?
What do you think?
Change can take decades to implement if the drive and vision to do so isn’t there. Often with dire consequences.
Consider the case of Dr Ignaz Semmelweis a Hungarian doctor. In 1846 Ignaz connected childbirth deaths to the lack of hand washing. Those doctors who went straight from the dissecting room (mortuary) to the labour room without washing their hands carried infections with them. Ignaz wrote multiple papers with his findings. He ordered his students to wash their hands in a solution of chlorinated lime after each examination and noted mortality rates dropped from 18.27% to 1.27%. However, the establishment wouldn’t accept his findings and continued to infect patients for decades before adopting his doctrine saving countless lives.
So, what has a doctor’s struggle in the 1800s got to do with business today?
The establishment then didn’t listen. They continued to do what they had always done even though they could see change wasn’t happening. Their arrogance in thinking they couldn’t be wrong cost a lot of lives.
The lessons he gave us then are just as applicable today within workplaces striving to be as mentally well as possible.
Delivering a once-a-year spotlight on mental health is soon going to be forgotten by most. A mindset change has to happen to deliver the transformation to mentally thriving workplace.
Does the training your workplace delivers:
The solutions your teams need?
Does it raise awareness of the two different minds in your workplace – neurotypical and neurodivergent?
Transform communication within teams?
Enables understanding of behavioural impacts on others?
Understanding of unconscious thinking?
The benefits of critical thinking?
All the above forms a solid foundation to then deliver a course on mental health and wellbeing which will truly give team members the tools and know how to look after themselves and support those around them.
Selecting the right training programme(s) is an additional pressure to already busy managers, procurement and/or HR teams. Which can often be why so many select based on title and popularity rather than is the fit sought there.
Surely, the first step is to start a conversation with an independent coach and trainer who can explore your needs before collaborating with you on a transformative programme?
I offer a free exploration call to discuss business needs. If I can’t help you, I will tell you so.
Bespoke training is not as expensive as you might think and can save you time, money and reputation when compared to the loss of talent from your business.
I’m Jane. I work with employers to deliver enhanced training in mind health, resilience and wellbeing. I’m also an ADHD Coach. Working virtually, I can help employers across many different time zones.
Is it time we talked?