Well-being -The new face of mental health awareness
Well-being appears to be the new face of mental health awareness.
I was challenged with mental health problems for almost two decades. What I experienced and attitudes of the times has shifted over time. Coming out of mental hospital admission in the 1990’s, the employers’ focus was to make one permanently unfit to work. Fortunately, that was not to be my lot. Paradoxically, it was shortly after I regained my full health that I faced unemployment.
It used to be that press reports around mental health issues were negative and based on stigma. Over the past 3 years I have observed a change in both the press and the workplace portrayal of mental health issues. This is all positive…we have certainly come a long way!
Celebrities and Royalty have made mental health reporting a very positive thing in the last few years. Princess Catherine, Prince Harry, Michelle Obama and Mrs Clinton are some of the public figures that contributed to this.
2016 was a year my workplace focused on mental health awareness as an important part of health an safety. Health and Safety and Well-being is the theme this year.
Well-being champions in my workplace are prominent to ensure a confidential ear and first point of contact for those concerned about the well-being of others. This is the first time I have come across this in the workplace. It is a far cry from my experience all those years ago…
Human Resources professionals are clearly steering the health an well-being agenda. And that is commendable and a long time coming…Societies flourish when people are happy and well. Interestingly, most people spend more time at work than with their families when we think about it. So our mental health is very paramount. Being happy at work is clearly very important in our lives.
I am much happier in the workplace than I have ever been in decades of employment. My overall outlook in life could not be more positive. I have also never gotten on better with people.
Well done to all the mental health advocates that keep steering the boat of mental health positively in the right direction. We have come a long way in creating awareness even though there is much mileage still to cover.
What is your experience in the workplace with regards to well-being? Please comment and share.
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