By Miriam Foster
Staff Wellbeing Coordinator
Safe, healthy working environments can act as a protective factor for mental health. With 60% of the global population in work, urgent action is needed to ensure work prevents risks to mental health and protects and supports mental health at work.
WHO advises that action to address mental health at work should be done with the meaningful involvement of workers and their representatives. By investing efforts and resources in evidence-based approaches and interventions at work, companies can ensure that everyone has the opportunity to thrive at work and in life.
At Northbridge International School Cambodia, staff wellbeing has often featured throughout the school year. We have trialed initiatives including social committees, elements of training days being devoted to wellbeing activities such as yoga and massages, surveys have been carried out to determine what we do well and how we can do better, and we regularly share wellbeing health tips and community activities.
So far, this year, a range of staff have organized staff trips and social events and a variety of clubs, bringing members of different departments together. Additionally, the wellbeing team organized a workshop providing an opportunity for staff to get to know each other better and to determine ways staff feel we can improve wellbeing at our school. We played games, offered prizes, and we have developed a staff electronic board for sharing relevant information.
There are many ways companies can promote wellbeing, for example: encouraging employees to take regular breaks to stretch or walk around, recognizing and rewarding employee achievements, organizing team-building activities, providing opportunities for training and development, providing opportunities for mindfulness or meditation and creating a culture of empathy and compassion. Many of these are already provided for at NISC because staff who are mentally and physically well, create this culture in their students, who then become successful learners. Due to the importance of wellbeing throughout all our lives, we continue to promote a healthy lifestyle.
Through our Wellbeing Weekly Tips, we’ve encouraged staff to leave their desk to enjoy their lunch in a different environment and join their colleagues, to spend some time outside during each day, grounding themselves, and to develop regular routines for ending the working day and ensuring a good night’s sleep.
Let's act today for a healthier tomorrow.
