It’s Mental Health & Wellbeing Awareness week! What’s the role of corporate DEIB teams in supporting this important annual milestone?

As Mental Health & Wellbeing Awareness week unfolds, it's time to spotlight the pivotal role of corporate DEIB teams in championing this vital annual milestone.

Reflecting on my 36 years in the workforce (yes, I'm proudly showing my age!), I've witnessed an inspiring evolution in prioritising health and wellbeing in the workplace. The consensus is clear: a focus on mental health and wellbeing breeds a more positive and commercially productive workforce.

Still not convinced.  Let’s dive in to some compelling statistics from MHFA England:

• One in five UK workers reported feeling unable to manage stress and pressure in the workplace
• Poor mental health accounts for more than half of all work related illnesses.
• Around 51% of long-term sick leave is due to stress, depression or anxiety

Now, let’s look at the pivotal responsibility of corporate DEIB teams in fostering workplace health and wellbeing.

1. Integration & Alignment: At AMS, we have integrated our Health & Wellbeing team into our ERGs, aligning our efforts with our overall DEIB plans.
2. Psychological safety: Creating an environment of psychological safety is paramount, allowing everyone to show up authentically and reducing the burden of masking that fuels stress and anxiety.
3. Embracing Belonging: We’ve recently added “Belonging” to the name of our function in AMS.  This enhanced focus on Belonging fosters a sense of connection to the business, nurturing a sense of wellbeing
4. Cultural Inclusivity: DEIB teams must spearhead the charge in cultivating an inclusive culture. Instances of exclusion or microaggressions demand swift action and remediation.
5. Celebrating Diversity: By curating a calendar of diverse cultural events, we cultivate a sense of belonging for underrepresented groups, nurturing their mental health and wellbeing.

What do you think?  What best practice are you seeing in how other organisations are combining their DEIB and Health & Wellbeing efforts?