Building Safe Spaces: A Mental Health Day Call to Leaders
On World Mental Health Day, we must recognize that creating safe spaces for employees to express their mental health challenges is not just a responsibility but a necessity. Our research shows that one in four employees hesitate to speak about stress, anxiety, or burnout, fearing judgment. Despite the increasing availability of mental health benefits such as wellness leaves, holistic wellbeing programs and sensitization workshops—however the low utilization of the counselling services tells us there’s more work to do. As leaders, it’s crucial to create environments where employees feel supported, empowered, and unafraid to be vulnerable. A framework that includes mental health support systems, flexible work arrangements, and spaces for individuals to be their authentic self at work is key to fostering a culture of openness. When employees can bring their whole selves to work, it not only improves their well-being but also enhances engagement, productivity, and overall organizational health. Let’s commit to building workplaces where mental health is one of the key priorities of our leadership approach.
Chris George, CEO and Co-Founder of QubeHealth
We don’t call it “physical” health, so why call it “mental health”? Its ‘health’ and ‘care’ for our team members and it is incumbent upon business leaders to create a workplace that shows that they care, not discriminate and create policies and actions that treat the ‘mental’ with the same importance as the ‘physical’ health. Employees spend more time in their workplace than at home. Employers, perhaps therefore carry the burden that is higher than that of families in removing the stigma associated with mental health, while offering options that are important to their biggest assets – the people. Normalising workplace healthcare management activities – a stress and anxiety test, along with a blood test, as an example of a HR leader’s checklist for the year would be a great place to start.
Quote by: Monica S Kumar, Social and Development Expert and Founder of BloomBuds ASD Life Trust
World Mental Health Day serves as a vital reminder of the importance of understanding and addressing the mental health needs of individuals on the Autism spectrum and their caregivers. A significant portion of the populations suffering from Autism Spectrum Disorder(ASD)battles with unique challenges like higher anxiety, sensory overload, and or difficulty to express their feelings that can impact them in many additional ways than they affect neurotypical people. To make this condition worse, the caregivers of people with ASD suffer along side with poor health, stress, and economic burdens.
We are a dedicated group of professionals working to provide positive, nurturing, supportive environment for people with Autism and their caregivers to support their emotional, psychological, and sustenance needs, in order to provide them inclusiveness and help reach their full potential through security and dignity.
It is essential to recognize that mental health is a critical aspect of every individual's journey, especially for those with neurodevelopment issues. With appropriate understanding, support, and tailored approaches, we can help alleviate some of the overwhelming feelings that many individuals with Autism and their caregivers experience.
This World Autism Awareness Day, let us commit to create more awareness and create an amicable environment along with people and families living with Autism. By advocating for mental health resources and promoting open dialogue about these challenges, we can help destigmatize and normalize mental health issues, enabling families to seek the support they need. Together, we can build a brighter future where every individual is empowered to navigate their mental health journey with confidence and resilience.
Vikram Subburaj, CEO, Giottus Crypto Platform
At Giottus, we recognise that mental health of employees is influenced by the culture we build internally. We believe in the positive correlation between mental health and the productivity at work. To ensure this, our managers and teams are encouraged to clearly segregate work and personal timings as well as account for employees’ personal needs that may spring up occasionally. We also seek periodic feedback from our employees to understand how we can make their work hours safer and meaningful.