We need talk and action on mental health issues

IT’S Mental Health Awareness Week. I was a bit confused as to why absolutely no one in the entire world had asked me to contribute to it, in any way.

Seeing as it’s always been the busiest week in the calendar year.

Until 2024. When, apparently, I became mental health speaker persona non grata.

Naturally my response to this was logically and emotionally balanced: Crying and believing everyone now hates me.

And perhaps they do.

But then I also realised that this year’s mental health awareness week was about “Movement.”

And so maybe everyone doesn’t hate me… they just hate the way I move…?

It’s a nice theme, actually. And probably a very fun one to organise events around.

Which is pretty much where it’s all going these days.

Raising Awareness must now be an event-friendly endeavour.

Otherwise folk have nothing to engage with.

I remember us doing a talk at one of the UK’s main broadcasting corporations. And the audience were MEGA excited. I mean like inappropriately so.

People love our talks, they get inspired and have a good cry, etc. It’s a cathartic experience.

But we don’t inspire the sort of mood akin to Beatlemania, that was going on for these lot.

“Erm, so is someone else coming on after us then?” I enquired innocently.

Knowing darn well that these hardened veteran broadcasters were not wiggling about in their seats for us and us alone.

Turns out it was Mr. Motivator in all his Lycra one piece and bumbag glory. Looking very well for his advancing years too, I might add.

I mean, you can’t compete with Mr. Motivator, can you?

No wonder everyone was amped up to the max.

It felt like the very last school assembly before summer holidays.

That level of happiness and freedom can only be great for mental health. And, of course people need a special occasion to get a star like that in their workplace.

Budgets need to be justified. Pennies counted. Tight purse strings loosened, etc.

But I have to ask, beyond the nice boost of serotonin, who is actually being helped by this theme of Movement? Could we perchance aim for something with slightly more practical value?

Like “Goldberg Depression Test” week, where we are all made to take it, and see exactly where we are on this huge spectrum of Mental Health, currently.

Employee Assistance Program week, where we all finally learn what we are entitled to, should we feel the need to get help.

(This one actually could be fun. Turns out lots of workplaces allow puppy therapy. PUPPIES! In the office! C’mon! What’s not to love?!)

Anti-anxiety meds week, where we all pick one to try. They work really well, in my humble experience.

I’d love to see an entire office on them at the same time.

We could even go a little alternative, and have Hypnotherapy week.

Where all staff members get to have a phobia or habit, eradicated under hypnosis.

I bet even Mr Motivator himself would stand aside for that one.

Mental Health Awareness Week is important.

The last thing I would ever want to do is get rid of it. And not just because I (sometimes) get paid well during it.

Raising Awareness is important. But it’s only a very small piece of the puzzle.

Mental Health Practical Application week is something that’s going to have to form part of the equation. Or else it really will be all wellmeaning talk, and no action…

“Raising Awareness is important. But it’s only a very small piece of the puzzle