Foster Mental Health at Work Through Team Virtual Volunteering
According to a news article published by WHO, 15% of working-age adults were estimated to have a mental disorder in 2019, and Globally, an estimated 12 billion working days are lost every year to depression and anxiety at a cost of US$ 1 trillion per year in lost productivity. Hence, it becomes essential for organizations to raise mental health awareness and promote wellbeing through policies and engagement activities that improve mental health.
People working during the pandemic face unique threats to mental health and well-being including:
- Heightened levels of uncertainty and dread,
- An overabundance of information,
- Changes to workplace dynamics,
- Changes in family relationships, and
- Concerns about financial security.
Surveys conducted during the pandemic also find that employees have been experiencing workplace burnout and suffering from adverse mental health outcomes.
5 Virtual Volunteering Ideas to Support Mental Health this Mental Health Awareness Month
Volunteering virtually to support the cause of mental health awareness has multi-faceted benefits. Yes, your employees get to ‘feel good’ by using their experience to ‘do good.’ But more than that, volunteering helps your employees feel more connected to your community, grow their network, and even improve their health.
According to the Harvard Medical School, volunteering regularly can boost mental well-being, build critical thinking skills, and lower the chances of developing high blood pressure. To give you a sense of what virtual volunteering for corporates looks like, here are 5 virtual mental health activities for the workplace that we are executing for our corporate clients as they strive to become mental health champions:
- Yoga for a cause
Participate in a virtual yoga session to support yoga teachers who strive to bring the healing power of yoga to more people. This ‘yoga for a cause’ program helps people who are facing addiction, trauma, eating disorders, cancer, incarceration, and PTSD learn yoga and calm their minds.
- Create content to raise awareness about mental health
Volunteer to create digital content that addresses key mental health issues and raises awareness about it. The nonprofits will use this to drive awareness among its beneficiaries. The best part is you don’t need any prior preparation. Employees just need to participate, ideate and create.
- Lend an ear to an individual struggling with mental well-being
Volunteer to listen to people going through mental health struggles through message services. Employees get to book a time slot of their choice and lend their ears to assuage the fears and concerns of people in dire need of mental support from across the world.
- Help chronically ill children and their families live with dignity
Volunteer to record motivational video messages and show your emotional support to children with chronic illnesses. Volunteers can encourage children and their families to be strong through this journey and give them the courage, support, and love they deserve.
Looking for more activities? Check out our latest article on celebrating mental health awareness at work.
Action Mental Health Awareness
This Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s join hands and be there for each other and respect everyone no matter what they are going through.
<rte-link_business-popup>Talk to our experts<rte-link_business-popup> to enable your employees to be change drivers or if you are interested in any of the virtual activities listed above and want to explore more virtual or in-person opportunities.
