#1: Center for Workplace Mental Health
Today’s work environment can be very fast-paced, so prioritizing employees’ well-being is very necessary. Creating a culture of mental safety, where employees feel comfortable talking about mental health without fear of judgement. This type of environment is crucial for having a healthy work environment. When employees feel mentally safe, they are more engaged, resilient, and inspired, which ultimately leads to better outcomes within the workplace.
A mentally healthy workplace does not just happen; it requires deliberate effort, and is built on shared values and practices that prioriticze compassion, honesty, and support. This doesn’t mean just polices put in place or wellness programs that the company or organization puts on – it’s about creating an environment where open conversations about mental health are encouraged and normal.
Center for Workplace Mental Health is a nonprofit organization with a mission to help this problem. They provide employers with information and tools to promote and support the mental health of employees. On their webiste they have tab titles ‘Mental Health Topics,’ this takes to a sidebar where there is a list of site links to different mental health topics that are common in the workplace.
For example, clicked on the anxiety disorders link. On this page, there is nearly everything one should know about anxiety disorders, including effects of it and resources for it. There is also a section specifically for employers titled ‘Tips for Employers: How You Can Help Employers with Anxiety Disorders,” giving indepth tips for employers on can better understand this disorder and how to create a work environment to people who deal with it on a daily basis.
The ‘tips for employers’ section appeared on every mental health topic link, however, it is thers is also a clear link on the website named ‘Employer Resources’ where there are guides, infographics, toolkits and more. This lays it out even clearer for employers to make a healthier workplace.
Investing in a mentally healthy workplace has clear benefits. By making mental health a visible and continuing priority, companies and organizations can transform their culture as well as proving that when people are thriving so does the business.
#2: The Half the Story Project
For a lot of young people, social media is a huge part of not only their lives but also how they were raised. There are a lot of pressures, comparisons and pitfalls for mental health. What if those same online spaces could be cultivated for good?
The Half the Story Project is a nonprofit for just that. Started in 2015, when Larissa May shared her story about her personal struggles with social media and mental health on Instagram, with the hashtag #HalfTheStory, this led to creating a movement online for this upcoming generation.
On their website, you’ll find resources, stories adn programs all designed to promote online well-being. Their Social Media U program caught my eye. This program brings online wellness into schools, teaching students how to use social media in a way that is supportive to their mental health.
Another part of their website shows a collections of stories form young people around the world. These stories cover everything from dealing with anxiety anc comparison online to finding community and support. These stories were interesting to read as a someone who grew up with the internet around and social media being a part of my life since middle school. Everyone has different experiences and it was interesting to me read them and compare them to my personal experiences with social media.
Giving young people the tools to help them navigate online spaces will prepare them for dealing with the burnout longterm especially if they go into a field (like public relations) that requires a lot of time spent on the social media platforms. By making mental health a priority with social media, like Half the Story are proving that social media can be used for good if there are resources available. When young people are thriving online they are more likely to thrive offline too.
Sources:
ellen 
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