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This month, Australians band together to raise awareness of mental wellbeing. It’s our collective duty to care for our own mental health as well as looking out for those around us…this Mental Health Month, there’s an array of resources, activities and exercises to help us get started.
Developed in 1930 by the Mental Health Foundation Australia, this year’s theme is post-pandemic recovery challenges and resilience. During these uncertain times, many have experienced anxiety, stress, loneliness and sadness at the unpredictability of the future, and tumultuous nature of the present. This month, there’s an array of mental health and wellbeing activities taking place across the nation, including:
- Multicultural and Refugee Mental Health Conference,
- Sport and Mental Health Forum
- Parenting and Mental Health Forum
- LGBTQI+ Mental Health Forum
- Future Leaders Conference.
- National Walk for Mental Health – the most popular event, held on 17 October, Australians will walk 5km to raise awareness of mental resilience during these times.
It has been a tumultuous year, with many being separated from loved ones and feeling a financial burden. Each forum and event is targeted toward specific demographics, making it easy to find something that meets our needs.
One in five Australians have been affected by mental health. This month, let’s raise awareness between individuals, families, governments, schools and organisations. Make your mark, and contribute a mentally healthy community – you can learn more at Mental Health Foundation Australia’s website.
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Happiness at work should be a top priority for all organisations. When employees are happy at work, they are better parents, friends, neighbours – they are more likely to give to charity and do volunteering work. It’s also been shown that happy employees are more productive, flexible, resilient, and creative at work.
Happiness at work is a shared responsibility. Australians spend a whopping third of their life at work. Struggling with workplace relationships, or looking for small changes to keep improving as a colleague? We’ve compiled a list of proven ways to build positive relationships – and increase happiness – at work.
#1. Communicate, communicate, communicate.
Like any relationship, communication is key.
Bringing an open and transparent attitude to work shows people you’re trustworthy and a valuable member of the team. As technology is part of the majority of workplaces, clear communication should exist across:
– Texts
– Emails
– Face-to-face chats
-Instant messaging software (e.g. Slack)
– Project management software (e.g. Asana, Trello)
Clear communication comes from clear expectations. Once you know what you need from someone, be clear and direct with your language to avoid miscommunication. The better you communicate, the stronger your workplace relationships will be.
Are you struggling with workplace-related mental health challenges? Find out how to talk to your boss about your mental health.
#2 Schedule a time to build relationships
There’s no rule that says you can’t speed up the process of building relationships. While relationships take time and grow organically, you can do your part by creating time specifically for team building.
This time could be scheduled during lunch, in the first 10 minutes of a meeting, or before you all head home at the end of the day. Time together is a crucial ingredient for positive relationships, with after work events and activities a common way to bond people and create quality time outside of normal duties.
#3 Stay Positive
Positivity is contagious.
Think about your own relationships in life, do the people you enjoy spending time with make you feel happy and uplifted? You can evoke these same feelings in your colleagues by coming to work happy and optimistic.
Whether it’s starting the day with a smile, encouraging a colleague with a mood-boosting compliment about their latest project, or motivating the team throughout the day – positivity adds energy to the workplace that’s impossible to ignore.
Click here to read the complete list of recommendations.
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