What Matters Most To Me? - The Mental Wellbeing

As you know, the last two years have been very noxious for everyone globally. Also, it had a long-lasting effect on our souls and mind.

Now to overcome this, the government and institutions working for social welfare have come up with several initiatives worldwide to stabilize the mental state of each person. These initiatives helped us with early recovery, but many of us could not recover as soon as the others, leading to mental illness.

Here comes the role of specialists. A proper diagnosis of mental illness helps to strengthen our mental health and attain cognitive, behavioral, and emotional well-being.

Now, what next?

After achieving feasible mental health, our next goal is to lead an effective and efficient life, leading us to the concept of mental well-being.

Mental well-being is not concerning for people who still have a mental illness. It works for cured ones who want their best version and a more meaningful life.

Recently, ICFAI Business School observed 'World Mental Health' Day on October 10, with a theme proposed by World Health Organization as "Make mental health and well-being for all- a global priority".

This theme emphasizes the importance of both mental health and mental well-being.

Moreover, to achieve this goal, many businesses adopt various strategies or initiatives to promote mental wellness.

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Are you aware of a firm called Proctor and Gamble (P&G)?

 

If yes, well and good.

 

If not, here's a brief description.

 

This firm is an American consumer goods giant in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector, which delivers hygiene and personal care products.

 

Two years ago, this firm launched an initiative to improve the mental health of their employees called 'Happy Minds'. It supported their employees during their hard times and reduced distress symptoms. They organized monthly webinars with health experts to strengthen employee's mental health and easy recovery from mental stigmas.

 

This year it announced the next phase of 'Happy Minds' as 'Happy Minds 2.0'.

 

What is Happy Minds 2.0?

 

After attaining the mental health of their employees, the firm was concerned about their mental well-being because they wanted to re-gain the efficiency and engagement of their employees.

 

Our mental well-being informs the details of our life, such as how we make friends and socialize, how we manage stress, the choices we make in response to any uncertainty or challenges, and how easily we handle and navigate them during life events.

 

Therefore, the firm focuses on counseling services, preventive diagnosis, and leadership training to achieve mental well-being.

 

As you know that every initiative has a specific objective and achievable goals. Similarly, this initiative has some predefined vital areas, such as:

•        Proactive Interventions: The firm has flexible policies, a concept of 'pause and recharge week' to reduce stress, and creates 'no meeting zones' where employees have more time for themselves and their personal needs. Here you will find expert support for employees to manage their health, nutrition, parenting, and social relationships.

•    Creating Safe Spaces: It is a holistic environment where workers may feel comfortable discussing, speaking up, and sharing their ideas, thoughts, and feedback. The "We care Helpdesk" supports employees based on their mental well-being and the amount of time required for better results.

•    Manager capability to tackle bias: The firm empowers the manager cum counselor to identify the mental well-being within the group, between two groups, and the whole firm by a proactive approach. Here you notice that managers have a specialized toolkit and training for measuring the effectiveness of each employee.

•      Enablers of mental well-being: To increase the efficiency of the initiatives, the company provides one-to-one counseling sessions for employees. They can receive expert counseling via teleconsultation or in person at the workplace.

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Firms Perspective

 

As you are aware of a very common proverb that one size does not fit all. Similarly, the firm has developed a policy framework to formulate 'Happy Minds 2.0' for their employees because they know that if employees are happy and healthy, they will definitely bring their best to work.

 

Mr. Srinivas P.M, head-HR P&G India & Sub-continent, said, "We believe our employees are our most valuable asset, and we truly care for them and their families. We have undertaken deliberate efforts to prioritize their health and well-being, which is yielding visible results".

 

The firm's CEO acknowledges their employee as assets and mental wellness as an investment to prevent attrition and increase productivity. Overall, P&G India has made progress in mental wellness among their employees. Their employees feel more empowered and aware. Also, it helps them feel more comfortable and open in discussing any subject.

 

The world is going through multiple changes at different levels at a faster pace. Or we can say that these changes are as fast as the flip of a coin. Therefore, Like Proctor and Gamble, many other firms also work for their employee's mental wellness.

 

For example, 'Accenture' introduced the "Employee Assistance Programme", 'Thought Works' came up with the "Do with Compassion" project, a firm called 'InMobi' has a "21-Day Paid Leave Policy" in which they want to enroll their employees in yoga classes, and sessions with psychologists,

 

The following firm is 'Intuit' which has two programs: the "Well-Mind" program and the "Well-being for Life" program. While a firm called 'CSS Corporation' introduced "Round the clock employee assistance" to build on a sense of belonging among their employees.

 

Accordingly, you can understand the core idea behind the whole initiative and the different modes of operating or implementing the process of mental wellness.

Way forward

 

The mind is one of the most powerful organs in the body. It controls the behavior and functionality of all other organs. And the instability of one will disrupt the entire functioning of your body.

You are now aware of the implications of mental well-being and motivated to keep your minds healthy, as you do for physical health. Because mental and physical health are inseparable, and if both are in harmony, a person will simultaneously lead to individual and organizational growth and development.