MAKING A DIFFERENCE SIMON SCOTT-NELSON is leader of the ISM’s new mental health and wellbeing thought leadership group. Here, he asks four members of the group for their views on this critical topic Why is it important to you to raise everything else follows – it’s as simple as that. awareness of the issue of mental DB: An organisation’s workforce is usually its health and wellbeing? biggest asset, and people need to be well to Vikki Barnes (VB): The world needs it! Now perform at their best for the business. When more than ever. Historically, mental health has challenging organisations, the question should be been seen as something to avoid, with many what happens if your business doesn’t support people finding it difficult to talk about. Finally, employee wellbeing. we’re realising how “normal” it is to have mental EC: Many people still need to learn how to work health difficulties and how important it is to remotely, or in a blended way. There is more learn how to support our mental wellbeing and pressure than ever to work differently, using new practise techniques that help us feel good. tools, adapting to new patterns and keeping up SIMON SCOTT-NELSON Debbie Bullock (DB): Raising the profile of with the pace of change – all while still (CISM) is mental health and mental fitness reduces the stigma often attached delivering on the day job, so it can become wellbeing leader for the ISM. to it, which enables people to get the support overwhelming. By bringing wellbeing to the top He is founder of Wellity, the workplace wellbeing specialist, they need, but also encourages prevention as well of the agenda, we are signalling to people that national champion at Mind, a as intervention. they have the space to reset. Great British Entrepreneur 2020 finalist, and a wellbeing advocate Emma Chatwin (EC): We now live in a world SW: The external pressures people are currently for the sales industry. Email him where work is life and life is work – so putting on under are unprecedented, and the boundaries at ssn@wellity.co.uk a game face for 8 hours a day, then going home between work and personal life incredibly and “letting go” is simply not an option. Having blurred. We need to ensure that colleague worked in the corporate world for over 25 years, wellbeing is a priority in all organisations to I’ve learned that this can be exhausting – it’s far ensure work pressure doesn’t become an additive better to be yourself for the full 24 hours... to the wider challenges society currently faces. I believe I have a responsibility to future generations to role-model a positive attitude How can we be kinder to ourselves and towards mental health. each other in the workplace in 2021? Sarah Walker (SW): I’ve developed my own VB: By taking time every day to look after our career during a period when the discussion on mental health, whether that be making sure we mental wellbeing was at best suppressed, at worst weave something fun into our days, or checking non-existent. I’ve observed the hugely negative in with someone, or taking more breaks to curb impact that has had on colleagues over the the build-up of stress. Mostly, it’s about years, and personally felt the same accepting that we need to be kinder to “Our mission is to help negative impact on my own wellbeing. ourselves – it’s about self-awareness. This is no longer acceptable. DB: Often, we are harder on ourselves organisations from across the than on others, so I would encourage whole world to unite, learn and In the “new normal”, why should everyone suffering anxiety to consider normalise the conversation we prioritise employee wellbeing what advice they would give a best friend around mental health above all else? or colleague in that situation. More and wellbeing” VB: Because people are of most broadly, remember everyone is more than Simon Scott-Nelson importance. If people feel good, then just their work. Be human, be kind. 20 WINNING EDGE
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