“Many of our APAC colleagues have been raised to believe that mental health is something to be kept hidden and secret. This makes it very difficult for many to engage on the topic and seek help when needed,” notes Alisha Fernando, Head of Diversity and Inclusion (APAC) at Bloomberg.
However, mental health should be a key consideration in the workplace – particularly in the APAC region, where more than a quarter of employees report symptoms of depression and anxiety. And there is a strong business case for addressing mental health issues in the workplace. After all, employers have a duty of care to their staff. Additionally, happy, healthy employees make for a productive workforce, which improves both morale and the bottom line. The World Health Organization estimates that for every dollar invested in the treatment and support of mental health disorders, there is US$4 return in improving health and productivity.
“To perform at our best and contribute positively to the success of the practice, it is important that we are all in good mental health,” says Alisha. “Focusing on the mental well-being of employees helps facilitate greater psychological and emotional safety in the workplace, which helps create an inclusive environment in which everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
At Bloomberg, we are committed to supporting mental health in the workplace. Globally, we operate an Employee Assistance Program, which provides staff with short-term confidential counseling and guidance for issues ranging from financial to relationship issues. We also offer a range of courses: for example, managers learn how to start conversations about mental health with their team, while employees have access to webinars on topics such as stress and resilience. Additionally, employees can express interest in becoming mental health first aiders and receive formal training, where they will learn how to spot symptoms of mental illness and strategies for contacting affected individuals.
Attitudes towards mental health differ across cultures and societies, and we strive to provide support tailored to each unique context. Clearly, in Asia Pacific, lifting the taboo is the first step towards greater understanding and acceptance. To this end, Bloomberg is spearheading THE “It’s me” campaign with our Corporate sponsorship partner Community businesswith the aim of destigmatizing mental health issues in the APAC region.
First launched in 2014 by Barclays in the UK and now led by the Call from the Lord Mayor in London, ‘This is Me’ aims to normalize conversations about mental health in the workplace through the sharing of personal stories and lived experiences.
“Through this campaign, we hope to facilitate open, vulnerable and honest discussions about mental health. We want to provide a way for colleagues to have similar conversations with friends, family and peers, as well as promote a better understanding of the mental health resources and support Bloomberg has to offer,” says Alisha. “We are all at our best when everyone is in their place, and we can only achieve this if we stand together and break the cultural stigma attached to mental health. »
Learn more about Bloomberg’s approach to diversity and inclusion and how it is central to our success. here.
