Mental Health?

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

Myth: Children don't experience mental health issues. 

Fact: Half of all mental health disorders show first signs before a person turns 14 years old, and three-quarters of mental health disorders begin before age 24. 

Myth: I can't do anything for a person with a mental health issue. 

Fact: Friends and loved ones can make a big difference. In 2020, only 20% of adults received any mental health treatment in the past year, which included 10% who received counseling or therapy from a professional. Families and Friends can be very important influences!

What to do? (According to Workplace Safety and Prevention Services) 

1. Increase your positive emotions. Practice gratitude by writing down three things you're grateful for every day. In team meetings, invite each person to share one thing they're grateful for. It releases stress, encourages positive thinking, and creates a sense of community.

2. Be more mindful in your conversations, your listening, and your leadership practices.

3. Take real breaks, even if it's only for a few minutes at a time. Allowing yourself frequent short breaks - a quick walk, a different type of task - will energize you and enable you to refocus. 

4. Move from a "vicious" cycle to a resilient cycle. Does this sound familiar? "When the going gets tough, I just put my head down and work harder and longer to get the job done." For short periods of time this might be okay, but for sustained periods this just makes you more tired and less effective. Instead, allow yourself time to meditate, exercise and sleep well. You'll feel better and do more in less time.

5. Complete the Guarding Minds @ Work initial scan, a 6-item questionnaire that indicates how stressed or satisfied you are at work. It's easy, and the results can help you focus on ways to create a psychologically safer and healthier workplace for yourself.

6. Ask yourself transformational questions. For example, "What can I start doing on a daily basis that will help me achieve my goal?" Use transformational questions with your team to open up discussions.

7. Transform your leadership style. Start by asking yourself, "Am I focused on solving problems or moving the company forward?"

Meditation?

Practicing meditation can often be daunting and challenging. Check out these platforms for as easier experience:

• Meditation and Sleep Made Simple - Headspace 

• Calm - The #1 App for Meditation and Sleep 

• Sattva - We are here to inspire you to Meditate!