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World Mental Health Day is marked on Thursday 10 October. The global event aims to offer support and ending the stigma around mental health. The international event has been recognised for more than 70 years and highlights the work being done to ensure mental health is treated with as equal importance as physical health. This year’s theme is “mental health at work”.  

This year's theme is a call to action that resonates worldwide. Employed adults spend more time working than any other activity during their waking hours. Of course, work provides a livelihood and is a source of meaning, purpose, and joy. However, for too many, work negatively impacts our mental health and wellbeing in ways that result in excessive distress and mental ill health.

Mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, are prevalent in workplaces globally. This impacts productivity, attendance, and overall performance, alongside an individual’s health and personal life.

World Mental Health Day 2024 will spotlight mental health at work, from workplace conditions and stress management to the importance of social inclusion and empowerment. The goal is clear: to champion mental health in the workplace and build best practices that create cultures where employees have the potential to thrive.

Top tips for staying mentally healthy at work

Reclaim your lunch break

Having a break can make you feel more productive when you come back, and it gives you the time to eat, make a drink, or do some of the other things you need to stay energised and well. If you feel too busy and need to skip a break one day, that's okay – but try to make the time back or try to prioritise your break on another day.

Hold a group activity

If there’s a green space near your workplace, why not organise a game of rounders or a group walk? Take time to enjoy the outdoors and get re-energised for an afternoon of productive work.

Take up a challenge

Local sponsored walks or running events are a great way to keep active. You could sign up with your colleagues and train together during lunch breaks. Being part of a team can give a communal sense of achievement when you complete the challenge. You could even support Mind’s work by signing up to one of their running events.

Get the work-life balance right

Are you often the last to leave work? There may be times when you need to work overtime to meet deadlines. But try to make this the exception, not the norm. Long hours mean you may be working harder, but not better – and they can quickly take their toll on your concentration, productiveness, and health.

Create clear boundaries between work and home

Try not to let work spill over into your personal life. If you need to work from home, or bring office work home, designate a separate area for work and stick to it. That can often make it easier to switch off from work.

Start a To-Do list

At the end of each day, go over your list and write up your list for the next day. When your thoughts are down on paper, you might find it easier to not think about work.

Ask for help!

If you feel your workload is spiralling out of control, talk to your manager or supervisor. If you can't resolve the problem of unrealistic goals or deadlines in this way, talk to your HR team, trade union representative, or another member of staff who might be able to help.

 

Race Equality Matters

In the UK, 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year and according to an NHS Survey, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities are at a higher risk of developing a mental health problem in adulthood but are less likely to receive support for their mental health.

According to the charity, Rethink Mental Illness, one of the reasons why ethnically diverse people experience high rates of mental illness is because of the mental effects of bias, discrimination and racism.
Find out more.

 

Other useful resources

Mental Health tips by the Mental Health Foundation

Talking about mental health 

NHS Mental Health in the Work Place