We take pride in our work. We laugh, we get irritated, we get motivated, we feel discouraged, we bond, we feel supported… These are our feelings, what are yours?

After all, our career is a major part of our lives. For some of us, our work defines us.

Many of us often quietly goes through or endure our mental struggles. The lack of knowledge, available literature or mainstream acceptance or simply conversation on mental health makes us fearful.

Remember, it is not debilitating nor something to be afraid or ashamed of.

It’s OKAY to seek help! A mental health-friendly workplace yields long-term benefits for both the employees and employers – higher staff morale, strong camaraderie, personal and professional breakthrough, transformative contributions to the organisation and more.

Cultivate a help-seeking behaviour and foster your supportive workplace culture today! 

Work is central to our culture. When someone asks "What do you do?", they often mean "What work do you do?".

Just as no two fingerprints are alike, everyone has a unique work identity. How we identify ourselves is often closely related to employment. Healthy employment is vital in restoring mental health wellbeing, bringing benefits such as:
 A sense of purpose that anchors your life
 Expands your sense of self-worth
 More opportunities for social inclusion and support
 Gives structure to day-to-day life
 Reduction in psychological distress

Mental health conditions do not define you.

Someone with mental health conditions can be high performing and productive too. They often have exceptional skills, talents, knowledge, and capability that an employer would value. However, many of their abilities and gifts are in covert under the shadows of their symptoms.

Getting back to work is one of the top recovery goals. Public stigma and lack of awareness on mental health often creates barriers at the workplace. At times, denying persons with mental health conditions employment and/or advancement opportunities.

You can make a difference by creating a stronger stigma-free culture and provide equal opportunities to person with mental health conditions based on their merits and competencies.

Let them know they are supported, they do not walk alone, they can contribute and they can fulfil their career aspirations. 

It is a myth that employees with mental health conditions cannot contribute positively to the organisations. Studies have shown that with appropriate support, employees with mental health conditions can do well at the workplace. In fact, companies who invest in workplace mental wellbeing are more likely to reduce absenteeism and increase productivity.

Employers can support employees with mental health conditions by creating an inclusive work culture, which includes:
 Merit-based workplace practices
 Flexible working arrangements
 Self-care day leave
 Counselling support
 Peer support network

Mental health conditions do not need to be an obstacle to employment. On the contrary, there are many successful personalities who are living with mental health conditions. They, too, can be happy, motivated and excel at their chosen calling.

A mental health-friendly workplace is vital to improve the mental wellbeing of employees. By creating a supportive workplace culture and an environment of good mental wellbeing practices, organisations can help employees rise to their potentials and achieve greater heights.