Mental health for all

As World Mental Health Day approaches, we reflect on how we promote the wellbeing of our team every day of the year.

2020 has been a year unlike any other. Spending months in lockdown and adapting to change has had a significant impact on people’s wellbeing. So, the theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day, as recognised by the World Federation of Mental Health, is ‘mental health for all’.

“In mid-March, before the lockdown, 62% of adults in the UK reported feeling anxious or worried.”¹

At Bistech, we take a proactive approach to supporting mental health. It’s something that touches almost everyone at some point in their lives, so we’re committed to promoting a positive culture across the whole business. Here are some of the ways we do it…

1. Understanding mental health and mindfulness
   Every employee participates in mental health awareness training to learn what mental health is, how to recognise warning signs and how to address possible concerns. We also explore mindfulness, and the link between what we eat and how we feel. And through our wellbeing app, everyone has access to nutrition and fitness advice, as well as online GP services.
2. Accessing 24/7 support
   Our employee assistance programme provides confidential support for both personal and work-related issues. With free counselling and on-demand advice, our team can talk openly to an expert about mental health, bereavement, financial concerns and the like, at any time.
3. Establishing a supportive and collaborative culture
   An open and positive environment means we encourage employees to share any concerns about their own wellbeing, as well as the wellbeing of others. Ultimately, we want everyone to feel fully supported, which in turn leads to a happier workforce.
4. Staying connected
   It may be a while before we can bring everyone physically back together at the same time, so we’ve kept the team spirit alive through our ‘virtual hub’ — a space for everyone to come together wherever they are.

Around the world, many people remain working from home. And while our team continues to do so most of the time, we recognise the benefits that face-to-face interaction brings. So, for those days when our people do come into the office, everyone has the reassurance that our spacious offices are fully Covid-19 safe. As a team, we have a responsibility to look out for one another, and we’re proud of the supportive culture we’ve created.

If you want to know more about life at Bistech, read more blogs here. And if you’re interested in joining our team, check out our latest vacancies.

¹ Mentalhealth.org.uk, 2019, ‘Coronavirus mental health pandemic, Key statistics, Wave 1’