July is Mental Health Awareness month. I think mental health is something we tap dance around, especially within the workplace.
A key service offered to Reality Wellness Group’s clients is Employee Psycho-Social Counselling and Support. We have a call centre that is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year – and I can assure you that our lines are busy throughout the year.
Why then do we not spend more time creating awareness of mental health issues in the workplace? 1 in 5 people suffer from some form of mental illness in any given year, that means someone in your family, a friend or a colleague is battling mental illness – and probably alone.
I truly believe that the only way to break down the stigma associated with mental illness is to be open about our own experiences. We should be sharing our stories of depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and so on, with the people around us – it helps us heal, and also educates those who are unaware.
At the very least I encourage you to at least always be kind – everybody you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.
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