World Mental Health Day 2024
World Mental Health Day may be 10 October, but it’s more than just a date on the calendar; it’s a global movement uniting us to advocate for support, create positive change, and break the stigma surrounding mental health – and pledging to commit to this long beyond the day itself
This year's theme for WMHD, as set by the World Federation of Mental Health, is workplace mental health – and at Happiful, we're honing in on what happens when you can't work because of your mental health.
From recognising when you need to take a break from employment for the sake of your mental wellbeing, your rights, and how to action this, to supporting yourself and handling questions when you're not working, along with any transition back into the workplace, it's a challenging journey, but one you don't have to face alone.
Find a vast array of articles, expert-led insight, and advice for all stages of your workplace mental health experience in our hub, and remember to sign up to our award-winning digital subscription (featuring our free weekly 'The Uplift' newsletter, monthly digital edition of Happiful Magazine, and 'From Anon' agony aunt counsellor column) for ongoing support.
Happiful is invested in your mental wellbeing; make sure you invest in yourself too!
Struggling with MH at work
Disclosing an illness, on your own terms
How to talk to your employer about burnout
Reporting a mental health issue
Recognising and addressing adult bullying
Understand your rights and advocate for yourself
Advice for managers to support team mental wellbeing
Start mental health discussions at work
Outplacement coaching
Whether you're on the verge of burnout due to work-related stress, or you're going through a particularly difficult bipolar episode, or perhaps a chronic illness has left you feeling completely drained and unable to go on, remember none of us are robots. You have rights when it comes to your mental health and taking care of yourself, so here we've collated a range of articles and insight to support with entering those discussions about your mental health in the workplace, knowing where you stand and how to begin addressing the issue at hand.
Supporting your MH while not working
A guide to practical and emotional support when not working
I’ve taken a mental health sick day, now what?
Dealing with the 'So, what do you do?' question
Telling people you're taking time off
10 steps to coping with redundancy
Recovery while signed off for your mental health
Keeping focused when you're unemployed
Identify your values
How to spend your time while off work
Protecting our mental health when we're not working is often overlooked, but of the upmost importance. Whether it's a decision you've made directly, or one that was made for you, handling the multitude of emotions that can arise in this situation can be extremely tough – everything from guilt and frustration, to fear, isolation, and lost. Explore these articles to help guide you through this time, ranging from handling those difficult 'So what do you do?' questions and talking about taking time off, to coping with redundancy, identifying your values, and steps to support your recovery.
The transition back to work
What are reasonable adjustments for mental health?
Coming back to work after mental illness
Six realistic career goals after time off
Beat back to work anxiety
Self-hypnosis for inner strength
Returning to work after maternity leave
5 questions to reignite your job spark
There's no set timeline on recovery, you have to go at your own pace. But if you decide you're ready to return to work, there are things you can do to help make the transition more comfortable, along with considerations to ensure that if burnout was the cause, you don't fall into the same overwhelm traps in future. From setting yourself realistic goals to managing Sunday night anxiety, and exploring questions to help rediscover your job spark, try to reframe this experience from something intimidating and daunting to an opportunity to carve out the career path you deserve.
