World Mental Health Day is an annual event that aims to empower people to look beyond the biases surrounding mental health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it also seeks to mobilize efforts to support mental health and provide a platform for mental health advocates to discuss their work and address what more needs to be done to make mental healthcare accessible worldwide.
What happened
To show their support for the cause, several companies have implemented their own World Mental Health Day initiatives. For instance, multinational corporations BUMBLE, LinkedIn, and NIKE recently gave their employees an extra week of paid leave. This decision was made to combat the so-called “COVID Burnout” that many employees had been experiencing for the past two years while working during the pandemic. The decision was also made in recognition of the mental burdens that many employees had been carrying while working, especially since many people lost their jobs during the pandemic.
Research supports the idea that mental rest and reflection boost work effectiveness and learning. Mental downtime can also protect temporary memory from being erased. In light of the current state of the world, it is crucial to prioritize appropriate rest, not only to avoid burnout, but to take care of ourselves and each other.
How it Works for Filta
At Filta, Mental Health Day is an essential initiative that the company takes seriously. On September 17th, 2021, at 10:30 A.M. Manila time, Filta’s marketing team served as the test group for their Mental Health Day initiative. Throughout the day, the team received no notifications, emails, or calls, and had no work to do. This gave them the opportunity to recharge, rest, and recuperate.
Filta recognizes the importance of mental health and understands that their employees’ well-being is essential to the company’s success. By supporting their employees’ mental health, they are not only creating a healthier and happier workforce but also a more productive one.
As more companies recognize the importance of mental health in the workplace, it is hoped that more individuals will be able to take care of themselves and one another.
