With mental health issues on the rise, it’s important to also increase mental health awareness efforts. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 264 million people globally are affected by depression. Meaning we likely all know someone dealing with depression or other mental health issues. That’s why Cyarans around the world were encouraged to participate in the Australian-based initiative, R U OK? Day.
R U OK? Day, started by Gavin Larkin, encourages conversations and building close relationships with those around you to help them get through mentally difficult periods in their life. This year’s message for R U OK? Day “Are they really OK? Ask them today” encourages people to make that meaningful connection with someone now as we don’t always visually know when someone is in distress. This connection can change a life.
This year, Cyara provided lunch for all employees and invited everyone to a presentation featuring helpful tips on how to check in with each other if you suspect a coworker might be struggling, or if they’ve seemed more tired or overwhelmed than usual. The presentation ended with an open discussion in which many employees shared some of the challenges they’ve been struggling with, and offered ideas to aid in mental health awareness at work. Among the suggestions: meeting up with others virtually for lunch, having a virtual scavenger hunt (an idea that has come up before in Cyara’s casual “5-to-9” meetups) and an anonymous helpline staffed by employees who would be willing to volunteer for an hour or two per week to listen and be there for someone who just needed to talk.
You can read more about many of the mental health awareness activities and and opportunities available to our Cyara Family on our previous blog.
Need help? Reach out!
U.S. Suicide hotline: 1-800-273-8255
Australia Suicide hotline: 13 11 14
