October 16, 2024
For many of us, work is a primary driving force in our lives. We spend an enormous percentage of our lives at work, with our coworkers and supervisors, and traveling to and from work. Even when at home with friends and family, our mind can be occupied with work-related thoughts, if not actively inundated with emails and phone calls.
I feel like everyone has experienced the same horror stories; stories of toxic supervisors with no boundaries, workplace cultures that celebrate working yourself into the ground, all while making a pittance, jobs that were so mentally draining that it was all you could do to just make it through the week. Growing up, these were considered “normal,” so when I entered the workforce after college, it was no surprise when I encountered these things for myself. As I endured I suffered, which made my work performance suffer, which made my mental health suffer. It was a horrible cycle perpetuated by my false understanding that this is just how it is. It wasn’t until I started working for Herbal Revolution that I realized that what I had believed to be “normal” didn’t have to be normal. That a healthy workplace was possible and that I could thrive in ways I hadn’t known were possible.
Today, I feel like we are finally starting to heal the toxic work environment. People are becoming more aware of their mental health and less tolerant of unhealthy work practices. Business owners, like our very own, Kathi Langelier of Herbal Revolution, are prioritizing the holistic health and well-being of their employees, realizing the innate worth of a happy and healthy human in the workplace. At Herbal Revolution we practice Radical Wellness in all things, from the beauty of our products to the treatment of our staff.
This year, the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) is focusing on Mental Health in the Workplace. As a strong supporter of mental health awareness in general, I was happy to learn that this topic would finally get the attention it deserves. Working in an environment that places such high value on mental health, I recognize the challenges, financial and otherwise, it takes for a small business to prioritize its employees over a fatter bottom line. But Kathi has never been one to back down from a challenge and continues to fight for human and labor rights every day. I feel privileged to work for a company that truly puts its money where its mouth is and serves as a reminder that Workplace Mental Health Matters, today and everyday.
-- Amy Bley
“World Mental Health Day was established on October 10,1992 by the World Federation for Mental Health. Since then, it has been observed every year with the aim of raising awareness in the global community about critical mental health agendas through collaboration with various partners to take action and create lasting change. Over the years, this day has gained momentum, becoming a platform for governments, organizations, and individuals to develop initiatives that focus on various aspects of mental health care.”
“The Global Campaign 2024 and its initiatives are based on this year’s official theme for World Mental Health Day – ‘It is Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace’. This theme underscores the critical importance of mental health in professional settings, aligning with the founding principles of WFMH established in 1948.
The campaign is dedicated to advocating for mental health within the workplace. Our objective is to engage a global audience—including employees, employers, organizations, and stakeholders—in grassroots advocacy to promote mental well-being at work. We aim to highlight the essential role of mental health in professional environments, advocating for workplaces where mental health is prioritized, protected, and promoted.”
Get involved in spreading awareness of mental health in the workplace:
https://wmhdofficial.com/engage-2024/
Struggling with mental health in Maine?:
https://namimaine.org/maines-mental-health-resource-database/
https://211maine.org/mental-health/
Want to create a healthier work environment for your business?:
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240053052
Other resources on mental health awareness:
https://www.nami.org/get-involved/awareness-events/mental-health-awareness-month/