Mental Health Awareness Week

Corporate Trainer | Mental Health Awareness

Do you know that one in seven Singapore residents has experienced a mental health condition in their lifetime? (ref: Singapore Mental Health Study 2016 conducted by the Institute of Mental Health)

Though society has progressed significantly, the topic of mental health, especially at the workplace, is seldom brought up.  There is a stubborn stigma attached.  That stigma prevents us from talking openly about mental health issues and prevents those who need help the most from seeking it. The cost to business and society is high, quoted a Deloitte’s report: At a tipping point?

“Emerging statistics around mental health are alarming – both globally and in Asia. The unique dynamics in Asia, including the deep sense of taboo and shame associated with this topic means that the issues are arguably even more acute in this part of the world. ” https://www.communitybusiness.org/events/embracing-mental-health-workplace-asia

In an effort to raise awareness for Mental Health, the 2019 Singapore President’s Challenge is focused on helping those with mental health issues.

“I hope that by placing more emphasis on people with mental health issues, we can raise greater awareness of their needs and we can better support them in their journey of recovery and reintegration,” Madam Halimah said in her opening address at the first Global Summit for Mental Health Advocates in 2018 quoted from the Straits Times online.

Employers were also rallied to support this cause and in May 2018, a WorkWell Leaders Workgroup, comprising private and public sector leaders from companies such as DBS, NUHS, Dow, Johnson&Johnson, NVPC, NCSS, MCCY, MOE, Edelman, Deloitte & Touche, Southwest CDC, TTSH, … was formed to champion workplace well being.

Corporate Trainer | Mental Health Awareness

In a LinkedIn article titled: The CORRECT definition of Mental Health written by Dion Jensen, he explained that the W.H.O. definition of ‘Mental Health’ is:

“A state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.”

Thus, our Mental Health is dependent on the stress and how we are able to cope with it as we go through life. Some amount of stress is good. However, with increasing stress at work especially with disruptive technologies, the fear of the stability of our work, continuing success of our business, whilst dealing with relationships at home, managing the deteriorating health both physically and mentally of our aging parents, it is crucial that we learn the techniques to manage our stress levels. In fact, the stress levels for our children and youth have also spiraled up. In a recent article1 published on Today Online, the number of young Singaporeans between the ages of 16 and 30 who sought help from IMH’s Community Health Assessment Team has jumped by an alarming 190 percent from 2015 to 2017.

Having helped people, on an almost weekly basis, to deal with their anxiety, depression or suicidal intentions,, Dion developed a process where he identified the VIPs (Value, Identity and Purpose”, which can occur in four environments: The Mirror, The Home, The Workplace and The World. He has utilized this process to aid people from New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, the US, the UK, Africa, Papua New Guinea, and Greece.

We are pleased to have Dion Jensen, a certified Mental Health First Responder & Clinically Endorsed Author of the world’s first good news book about PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) on our newly launched https://corporatetrainerconnect.com/ platform. Visit Dion Jensen’s page and his website to learn more and download a copy of his e-book : The VIP of Mental Health – Value. Identity. Purpose.

” Dion Jensen’s The VIP of Mental Health seeks to address the core foundations of how we relate with one another and our situations. He does this by highlighting not only how people see one another but also, more importantly, how we see ourselves; the two are intimately connected. Dion emphasises that our Values, Identity and Purpose—or VIP—permeate the way we present ourselves in all aspects of our lives. Crucially, he does so in non-clinical and uncomplex ways, as he did in his first book, The Good News About PTSD…” an excerpt from the book’s foreword by Jordan Braye, Organisational Psychologist.

References:

1. https://www.todayonline.com/commentary/make-mental-health-education-mandatory-singapore-schools