Mental Health Awareness Week runs from 12 to 18 May and provides a useful opportunity for organizations to consider the vital role that personal resilience plays in overall organizational resilience.
There is no denying that we are living through a period of economic and technological upheaval. From budget cuts to the rapid development of artificial intelligence, a multitude of factors can significantly affect employee mental health. Now more than ever, the responsibility lies with employers to take proactive steps in supporting the health and wellbeing of their workforce.
Ensuring mental health is not forgotten amidst times of change and innovation should be a top priority for all businesses. This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week serves as a reminder for organizations of the best practices all employers should adopt to support their staff, build individual resilience, and strengthen the organization as a whole.
This year’s theme for Mental Health Awareness Week is ‘community’; organizations should take a look at how this can be applied or implemented into their current employee strategies.
As recognised by Hugh Scantlebury, CEO and Founder of Aqilla, “Individuals can have many different communities – their families, friends, neighbours or other social groups – but given how much of our week we spend at work, a workplace community is arguably one of the most important. Yet, these communities are often not nurtured in the way they should be, evident by 87% of employees being affected by stress, anxiety, burnout and depression.”
Scantlebury adds: “This neglect may be because business leaders don’t know where to begin. Building a community can seem like a difficult task with no tangible end goal, but it is all about creating an empathetic culture in which employees feel accepted and heard. As such, simply having informal check-ins with employees, asking them how they are and giving them the space to air their feelings will make a big difference. Whilst this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is a great reminder to build a workplace community, it is not a tick box exercise. Business leaders must foster a positive workplace culture all year round to truly build a sense of community that makes employees feel safe, happy and accepted.”
Taking a proactive approach
Proactivity when it comes to mental health is vital, particularly when it comes to preventing issues from unnecessarily escalating. Alex Pusenjak, Global VP People & Culture at Fluent Commerce, emphasises the importance of this: “As is always the case, prevention is better than cure. However, a recent report from Deloitte highlighted that nearly two in three UK workers are experiencing at least one characteristic of burnout – a statistic that is increasingly rising.”
“As an employer, one of the best approaches we can take to look after our team’s mental wellbeing is to take a proactive, rather than reactive, approach”, says Pusenjak. “The main focus should be creating a culture where employees feel safe talking about how they feel. Whether this be signposting to online resources, having a qualified Mental Health First Aider, or providing space for employees who would like to share concerns, there are ample approaches that employers can take to support their employee’s mental health.”
The pressure of cyber attacks
The personal effect of cyber attacks can often be overlooked, but they can have a significant impact on the mental wellbeing of employees. “With fewer resources and rising expectations, people are being asked to do more with less”, explains Richard Gadd, SVP & General Manager EMEAI at Commvault. “Tighter regulations around reporting cyber incidents are further exacerbating this. Along with the stress of staying compliant, the fear of being caught off guard generates even more worry. When the CEO makes cybersecurity a priority, the pressure trickles down fast. Whilst paying a ransom used to act as a safety net, with bans on these payments becoming more common, this option is now disappearing.”
He continues: “With today’s increasing threat landscape, the need for robust cyber resilience is more important than ever. For many, this feels like being in the eye of the storm – overwhelmed, underprepared, and in a race to catch up. Employers should be aware of the personal effects that cyberattacks can have on their teams and provide support where needed. The fallout of cyberattacks can be damaging to both the business and its employees, and Mental Health Awareness Week brings a stark reminder of this.”
It is evident that organizations must remain committed to developing comprehensive, adaptable, and forward-thinking support systems that genuinely address the mental health needs of their employees. At the same time, there should be a strong emphasis on building both individual and organizational resilience, equipping teams and leaders alike to navigate challenges more effectively and sustain long-term wellbeing.
