iThinkMedia’s Mental Health Awareness Day

Mental health has long been a stigma that needs to be extinguished and is something that we should all be talking about, especially in the workplace. In light of recent events, the death of Linkin Park’s frontman, Chester Bennington, we at iThinkMedia have decided that it is time to change the way we view mental health.

Linkin Park is a favourite band of ours in the office and many of us were left in utter shock when Chester’s death was announced on Thursday 20th July. Mental health is also something that is close to the hearts of many of us at iThinkMedia and we believe that it’s time to do our part to help end the stigma.

How common are mental health problems?

Any form of mental illness is a constant battle, one of which can make everyday life a struggle. Illnesses like depression and anxiety are rarely viewed as an illness, which is something that desperately needs to change. Here are some statistics from www.mind.org.uk:

• In the UK, 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in a single year
• 1 in 6 people in England experience a common mental health problem (e.g depression, anxiety) in a week
• In both England and Wales, approximately 1 in 8 adults with a mental health problem are currently receiving treatment

However, it appears that the fight to end the stigma continues, as the number of people who self-harm or have suicidal thoughts is increasing.

So how can we make a difference?

On Friday 4th August, all of us here at iThinkMedia raised awareness of mental health in the workplace. We turned our annual summer social into an event to raise money and contributions for the charity Mind. Not only did we educate our staff on the statistics surrounding mental health, but we all celebrated who we are as people, regardless of any mental health problems, to help break the social stigma.

From educating our staff to our charity raffle, each and every one of us came together to change the way we think about mental health. There was plenty of fun and games throughout the day that helped us bond and appreciate one another, giving us the chance to participate in team building activities with those who we wouldn’t normally work directly with on a day-to-day basis.

What better way to start the day then with a game of team rounder’s! With a lunch fit for the Queen, we picnicked away under the sunshine enjoying great food, a tonne of cake and a cheeky Pimms. No one went home hungry that day!

Our efforts wouldn’t have been possible if it wasn’t for the kindness of local businesses who kindly donated generously to our charity raffle. A massive thanks to Baroosh, Cinnabar Hotel Hertford, Cafe Rouge, Loch Fynne, Oishii, Ruby, Shahenshah, Marks and Spencer and Waitrose for donating amazing prizes, in which we raised a total of £350 for Mind.

It’s time we changed the way we look at mental health.

#RIPChester #StoptheStigma #iThinkMentalHealth