The World Health Organization recognizes various global issues as being worthy of its campaigns and resources. The overall objective of World Mental Health Day is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health.

However, this isn’t a new initiative. The very first World Mental Health Day was held in 1992, but things have come a long way, and the last 18 months have amplified this to top of many corporate agendas, and given many people time to reflect on their own positions.

The Day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.

At WBN (Worldwide Broker Network) we wanted to ask our newly formed Wellbeing Focus Group to comment on what the day means to them, their clients and their own employees.

Alan Fergusson, Director – Employee Benefits at WBN comments, “The replies not only demonstrate that this is a globally recognized day, but also that our members have a deep understanding of this subject, and direct involvement in delivering consulting services and solutions to their clients. Almost everyone recognizes that although this day is very important to raise awareness, these times dictate that it is an everyday subject, and as we continue through the pandemic with different phases and challenges globally, so to are the actions that support responses.”

We give you our members thoughts, across the globe, on how they will mark this important event.

Mai Tlau – VP & National Head of Wellness Services – Prudent (India)

In India we have been getting a lot of requests coming in for mental health day. Some organizations are planning campaigns which are longer than a week.

Prudent wellness team is conducting two month long campaigns for World Mental Health Day in October on a Pan-India basis which will be open for all our EB clients to participate.

We are running expert webinar talks on mental health on various sub topics on all Fridays in October, along with a fun contest for Prudent clients to raise engagement. Amazon vouchers will be sponsored by Prudent to the winners.

We have designated Mental Wellbeing week – 11th – 15th October and will run a series of programs conducted daily for 30 mins. Programs will be bite sized and will be interactive and experiential.

Robyn Cross – VP Wellbeing Practice Lead – Newfront (Formerly ABD) (USA)

World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to amplify awareness of mental health issues and drive global action towards increased mental health.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 1 in 5 adults in the United States experience mental illness each year which can have a ripple effect on other aspects of individual wellbeing. At Newfront, we recognize that our colleagues are often tasked with Balancing Work, Love, and Play, which has become especially true during these unprecedented times. We also understand that our clients are facing similar challenges supporting their employees and customers across the globe.

As such, we are focused on expanding access to mental health services, de-stigmatizing conversations around mental health in the workplace, and creating wellbeing solutions that account for the uniqueness of each individual’s mental health needs. We continue to champion mental health on World Mental Health Day and throughout the year.

Debra Clark – Towergate Health and Protection – Head of Specialist Consulting (UK)

At Towergate Health & Protection we think it’s especially important to acknowledge World Mental Health Day this year as Covid-19 has had such a massive impact on people’s lives both in and out of the workplace. Job losses, furlough, social isolation and nationwide uncertainty about the future has had disastrous consequences for the UK’s mental health. There is also concern that this is only the start and there is more to come – some referenced this as a tsunami of mental health issues coming our way.

The four pillars of wellbeing – physical, financial, social and mental – all contribute to a person’s overall wellbeing. Taking the time to acknowledge one aspect in detail is to be applauded. However, it isn’t a one-day kind of thing; we should always focus on our own mental health and that of those around us, including colleagues in the workplace.

Louise Short - National Clinical Leader - Brown & Brown/Strategic Benefit Advisors (USA)

World Mental Health Day, observed annually on October 10, is an opportunity to raise awareness of mental health issues and to mobilize efforts to support mental health worldwide. This year, as we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, it is vital that we take a pause to assess our mental health and help those around us who may need support.

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act, and also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.

We believe in the power of positive thinking, our thoughts have a lot of power over how we feel, and ultimately how we act and our happiness is dependent on the quality of our thoughts.

The ultimate goal is to enable individuals to effectively manage day-to-day stressors before they become obstacles to health and productivity.

Anna Jozefczyk – Mentor – Director of Employee Benefits and Wellbeing (Poland)

World Mental Health Day in Poland is the opportunity to talk, discuss and inspire employers to creating a friendly work environment that support employees in many areas.

Below present topics and a map of risks created by the Polish Chamber of Insurance means that Mentor Wellbeing& Benefits Team focus with our clients on below issues: creating tailored to the needs, conscious benefit programs, health as a main direction, organization of psychological support, ergonomic programs and working with topics such as work-life balance not work-life blend, breaking taboos, support for working mothers, sense of meaning/ life, living in harmony with yourself and the planet.

We have completed a " healthy organization" webinar series which included the topics such as building mental resilience, the role of a manager in a healthy organization, mental support in remote work.

I personally work together with The Wellbeing Institute and we create complimentary solutions for clients. All at Mentor are fully invested in making a difference to our own and our clients employees.

Edward Watling – Mattioli Woods – Senior Employee Benefits Consultant (UK)

Over the past 5 or so years we have seen an increasing focus on mental health in the UK.

World Mental Health Day is a very useful “landmark” allowing clients to look around and take some bearings in respect of their journey in supporting employee mental wellbeing.

At Mattioli Woods we believe in assisting clients to develop proactive support for employees so their mental health issues don’t necessarily become a mental health crisis. We help them achieve this through education, awareness, communication, self-care and sign-posting. WMHD allows us to remind clients and their employees of the resources that are available to help them maintain and improve wellbeing.

Alexandra Slimming – Honan – Head of Global Benefits (Australia)

At Honan, we are focused on prioritizing the mental wellbeing of our people, clients, partners and wider community, particularly over the last 18 months as we navigate our way through the pandemic. World Mental Health Day offers an opportunity to ensure our team feel supported and safe to have open conversations about their mental health, remove the stigma attached and provide valuable education on the resources and services available to those that may be suffering or know someone who is.

Ewa Skioldebrand – Soderberg and Partners – Corporate Wellness Manager (Sweden)

On the World Mental Health Day we focus on mental health of our employees and citizens. Everything is connected. You can’t separate people from environment and climate. We are all greatly affected by the environment we operate in, both physically and mentally.

Employees are a company's most important asset. If there is a loss of productivity due to mental suffering, poor leadership, lack of commitment and wrong values, it will show up on the bottom line. And it’s both risk for the individual and the company.

We are aiming to improve the well-being and the quality of life for all. It’s about being able to work in an environment that provide good health and equality, and to create and contribute to a healthy corporate culture and values that promote diversity and inclusion.

Mental illness and stress in working life and in society are increasing. Soderberg and Partners helps companies to shed light on issues, provide tools to address the problems and to promote good health and well-being regardless of gender, age, ethnicity and different personalities.