After a year of lockdowns, isolation and loneliness, the world is facing another public health crisis: a mental health pandemic. The effects of Covid have heightened the risk factors of mental illness while simultaneously limiting the coping resources that are usually available to individuals (support from friends and family, social activities, fitness classes, financial security). 

Mental Health Awareness Week 2021 presents an opportunity to shed light on the difficulties of mental health problems and, most importantly, foster a culture of support, connection and help on a personal and business level. 

Here is our edit of the global conversation on how individuals and companies can tackle mental health problems with purpose. 

• How to move from languishing to flourishing following a traumatic year of isolation and grief (NY Times). 
• The pandemic has made mental health challenges in the workplace worse. Here’s why leaders need to take a holistic and methodical approach to supporting their employees’ wellbeing (McKinsey). 
• Post-traumatic growth: is it possible to grow after periods of intense trauma and loss? Rhian Manning, founder and CEO of 2 Wish Upon a Star, reflects on her life after losing loved ones (The Guardian). 
• Leadership expert Simon Sinek discusses his experiences with mental health issues in the pandemic, and why we need to nurture friendships and uncover our ‘why’ (TED Talks). 
• Why protecting employee mental health needs to be a top priority for post-pandemic workplaces (Raconteur). 
• How can we de-stigmatise mental illness and erase the shame that some individuals feel? (Medium)
• Why the biggest barrier to great leadership is not fear but armour (Unlocking Us Podcast). 
• The healing power of connection and support during the mental health crisis of the pandemic (The Conversation). 

Some words to finish with:

“‘What is the bravest thing you’ve ever said?’ asked the boy.
‘Help,’ said the horse.
‘Asking for help isn’t giving up,’ said the horse. ‘It’s refusing to give up.'”

Charlie Mackesy, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse.