October isn’t just crunchy leaves, cosy jumpers and Halloween costumes…it also marks World Mental Health Day.  

Every year, the World Federation for Mental Health unites us all on 10th October to achieve a common goal - ensuring that mental health is treated on a par with physical health.  

The day offers the ideal opportunity for advocates of mental health to openly discuss their experiences, efforts and initiatives whilst encouraging others to do the same.  

If you and your organisation would like to come together and make a difference, then here are ten ideas to mark the occasion this year. 

Share experiences 

A brilliant way to mark World Mental Health Day is to share your own mental health experiences.  

Hearing people’s first-hand accounts of personal struggles can really help and reassure others that they are not alone. When we sense we are in good company, we feel empowered and confident to speak out too.  

Encouraging staff at all levels of an organisation to share an experience can help the workforce to see that when it comes to mental health difficulties, we are all equal and in the same boat.  

If, however, you would prefer to do this anonymously then why not set up a wall or board for everyone to stick their story onto or create an ‘experience box’ that colleagues can drop their posts in.  

Express gratitude 

Spending time expressing gratitude and reflecting on what you are thankful for is not only a form of self-care but also great for positive thinking.  

When we focus on being grateful for what we have in life, we begin to filter out our negative thought processes. All too often we do just what we need to get through each day without counting our blessings or focusing on what we have, like, enjoy and appreciate.  

Casting time aside to identify three good things that happened each day can help us see that we are often more fortunate than we realise. 

Take time out  

Time is a much-valued entity and since the pandemic several of us have reconsidered how we spend ours. Whether we choose to work part-time or remotely to be closer to our families, our work-life balance is an ever-present consideration at this time.   

There’s no doubt that enjoying quality time outside of work is good for our wellbeing and so it seems fitting to mark World Mental Health Day with the gift of time.  

This can take various forms; all staff taking the day off or being granted a mental health day that they can take at any point during the year, the workforce downing tools and taking an hour or two away from their desks, half days to spend away from work or perhaps an extra day’s annual leave to enjoy as you see fit.  

Check-in with yourself and others 

Reflecting on your own feelings when you have the time and capacity can be insightful. How can you know how best to act and care for yourself if you don’t tune into your thoughts?  

If you struggle to know how to check-in with yourself then there are various resources online or you can invest in a mental health journal which has prompts and templates to help you. If you set aside time to do this regularly then it can help improve your resilience and problem-solving skills and reduce stress build up.  

It’s equally good to try and ask after others too. We all know how helpful and uplifting it is when people show genuine concern for our wellbeing so returning the favour is hugely important. 

You don’t necessarily need to have all of the answers or solutions, sometimes just being a good listener is all that matters.   

Make a pledge or resolution 

There’s no better time than World Mental Health Day to make a pledge about your own wellbeing.  

Whether it’s to make more time for yourself, practice self-care more often or review the sorts of people or distractions you have in your life – a resolution to improve areas that you’re less happy with could be the answer to better mental health.  

When applied to the workplace you could try and be more organised, plan better, take regular breaks or socialise with colleagues more. If you monitor what helps you to lower your stress levels you will hold the key to unlocking a better working routine for yourself.  

Spend time together 

Why not create a sense of community amongst your colleagues and join together for a social activity.  

When those who work together also socialise together it can lead to improved relationships, more honesty and trust and a reduction in work-based interpersonal relationship difficulties.  

You could have a mental wellbeing theme such as outdoor walking, yoga/meditation, candle making or crafts or perhaps a pub quiz or meal. Whatever suits the preferences of the team and brings people together will have the biggest benefit.  

Have an email free day 

Sounds too good to be true, right? Having a whole day free of being a slave to our inboxes.  

Actually, organisations that have piloted this have found it incredibly freeing, enabling them to focus on other projects. When everybody in the organisation is refraining from emailing each other, you no longer feel like you’re falling behind or that you will have a mountain to catch up on when you return to your inbox.  

Research has found that office workers can spend an average of four hours per day purely reading and sending emails, so having a day off from them can increase productivity and encourage other forms of communication. The time we dedicate to sending messages to each other can be put towards achieving more important things or general work output thus reducing our stress levels. Who knows, if it goes well you could even make it a regular thing!  

Fundraise 

Fundraising in the workplace can be hugely successful as it gives everyone a focus and something to contribute towards as a team. It also benefits a good cause and brings about a warm sense of pride and reward.  

Whether you choose to have a cake sale or wear unusual clothes, or take on a challenge or activity this can engage everyone and give you all a purpose whilst raising money for a worthy charity.  

Although your workforce may support different aid organisations, this would be a great opportunity to give to a mental health charity and learn more about their mission.  

Attend a workshop  

Team building days are often secretly dreaded and it’s hard to find an activity to suit everyone’s preferences. Why not channel your efforts and budgets towards booking a mental health themed workshop that can benefit everyone equally and act as a learning opportunity. 

You can hire a specialist facilitator to come to your premises and run a session or take your team out to a calm and serene environment.  

A large midlands-based university recently took their marketing department to a country retreat for a mindfulness and meditation day where they learnt better ways to manage their stress levels. The staff were each given exercises to take away and implement in their daily work along with the contact details of an external mentor and the outcome was a reduction in mental health absence. 

Bring a pet to work day 

According to the Mental Health Federation, animals can help improve our wellbeing in many ways. These include providing companionship, soothing anxiety, enhancing social skills and boosting self-confidence.  

We’re a nation of pet lovers and often feel naturally calmer and happier when they are around us. Whilst introducing animals to your workplace may not be without certain challenges, the benefits can be great.  

HR and Employer Engagement firm Gethppy claim that when implemented regularly, bringing pets to work encouraged a happier, more creative and closer workforce with less absence and increased flexibility. It can also attract other staff to your organisation.  

Whatever you do, you can join the worldwide conversation on social media by using the hashtag #WorldMentalHealthDay.