In the desperation and opportunities posed by the mental health challenges, the wellbeing industry is thriving.
I have shared my mental health challenges fairly publicly. It does not have the stigma that it used to. It is just something I manage like any other adult responsibility - sometimes well, sometimes less so.
Recently a depressive episode reared its head. I had forgotten what it was like. It was only for a couple of days.
The next day my inbox had once again been flooded by a set of Workpace Wellness invitations from the organisation I work with.
That got me thinking. If I did not have the same knowledge and experience with these black dog days and I went to a workplace wellness event, would it have helped? Not really. In all likelihood it would have fed the monster. Sometimes I need to isolate and go inwards and find the blackscapes that need soothing. Soothing that myself and only a few others really know how to witness.
With the memory of the black dog still fresh, I categorised the types of people roaming the digital webs of enthusiastic wellbeing ‘you can do it’ initiatives. I have come up with these groups and offer a pie chart for illustration purposes - the numbers? Well, you have to adjust them yourselves.
By Workplace wellbeing initiatives, I refer to presentations and training by mental health experts, education and behavioural strategies as well as popular health brand initiatives like yoga classes, dedicated social events and generic counselling.
They glow regardless. Even if yoga is not your thing and you prefer taking out your worries at the gym with your mates, working in an organisation with a strong wellness presence pays off. You can feel it in the virtual air. You may not realise until you leave it. But you can pretty much take it or leave it.
What does this mean? Corporate Wellness activities are great for these people. Do not assess the effectiveness of your programs by attendance metrics and survey feedback. Dig a little deeper.
Will not seek help. These are the bulwarks. Chin up, pull your socks up and get on with it kinda people. Whether it is due to traditional values where you do not air your dirty laundry with others or whether it stems from narcissistic tendencies, it does not matter. Probably best not to try.
What does this mean? Do not worry, accept your limits. It's much more satisfying to focus resources on the other groups. Like Lois, the wife of Bill W (founder of Alcoholics Anonymous), focus on yourself and you'll help everyone more than you may know.
Will seek help under the right conditions. This is where the greatest and untapped gains from Corporate Wellness programs are found. It requires systematic problem solving in a climate of psychological safety.
Psychological safety is a belief that one will not be punished or humiliated for speaking up with ideas, questions, concerns or mistakes." (Prof Amy Edmondson).
What does this mean? More often they are conversations that arise organically when you are attuned to others and recognise where they may need additional support. It is not even necessary to voice this as a mental health conversation to yourself or others. The best therapists do their own healing work and 'co-regulate' with people to create a conversation with a warm coherence that naturally leads to what psychologists call, 'help -seeking behaviours'.
Cannot seek help - this is the category. Some of us are wired too heavily on the side of safety and people are not our friends. In a depression episode, someone cannot move off the couch for a day let alone have a shower, pay bills or call in a mental health day. It can hit out of nowhere. Anxiety can be similar. The reasons for not getting help override any cues to remember to call someone.
What does this mean? This is access to Employee Assistance Programs or similar services is very important. People in this group do not actively seek help until it becomes acute. In social science research, they talk about people being 'one major life event away from crisis'. This is where social services and safety nets have an essential role and all the better if your home and community life steps up to offer a buffer through these tough periods.
How do you know if you have the right mix? How do you alter the mix?
Do you have a feel for the numbers of people you know in each camp?
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