27 Sep Mental wellbeing in the workplace
It’s Mental Health Awareness Week and at Datum, it’s a cause close to our hearts. As a business and a country, we’ve all gone through a lot of change. We’ve had to make big adjustments in the way we work and live our lives, and naturally that is going to affect our mental health and wellbeing.
Over the last 12 months or so, we’ve seen an increase in the number of staff coming forward to ask for help and support. It made us think long and hard about what we could be doing for our Datum team and their families. So, we’re about to launch a new and exciting initiative – an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) – an online portal with professional help and support available across areas like counselling, budgeting, career advice etc. Being completely anonymous, we hope it will help people seek help, open up, and get tangible advice and info in a safe environment.
We all need to acknowledge that it’s hard to ask for help. It takes a lot of courage to be vulnerable and we are so proud of our team members for putting their hands up and saying ‘Hey, I’m struggling.’ Being able to extend the programme across our Datum family benefits us all, just knowing that whatever their home situation is, there is support right there. Once the EAP is in place, it will be available any time, and for the long term.
As part of our commitment to mental wellbeing, Datum’s also very proud to sponsor Mike King and the work he does in this space. Managing Director Seth Gleeson has seen the effect depression can have on people of all ages, and is firmly behind organisations such as I am Hope. “As a business, we aim to make a lasting connection and contribution to organisations looking to normalise this conversation and raise our awareness and coping skills from any age,” he says.
The overriding message is that there’s no shame or stigma in experiencing mental health issues and it’s important to seek help if and when we do. In sharing our experiences, promoting positive change and normalising mental health, we all win.
What’s your business doing to foster and support mental wellbeing? We’d love to hear about it.