Claire’s Column – Health Is Wealth

Published on: 30 Jun, 2019
Updated on: 30 Jun, 2019

In this regular column – a must-read for all those interested in Guildford business – Claire Dee discusses why taking a summer break really is good for your health.

The past few months have been pretty full-on here! From client campaigns and a myriad of meetings, to amazing awards and ever-popular exhibitions.

Most recently, the Surrey Business Expo at Guilford’s Surrey Sports Park. A huge venue which was easily filled with hundreds of local business people sharing their knowledge and experience. The place had a real buzz and it was great to be a part of it.

But all this busyness has left me feeling jaded and in need of a well-earned break.

Summer in the corporate calendar is the ideal opportunity for some downtime which is essential for staff wellbeing. Overworked employees become stressed and much less productive.

As Guildford-based mental health charity Oakleaf notes: “Healthy people are happier, more engaged and more productive. Stress, anxiety and depression are the biggest cause of sickness absence in our society. At any one time, one worker in six will be experiencing these symptoms. Mental ill health is responsible for 91 million working days lost every year and costs UK employers an estimated £34.9 billion each year – the equivalent of £1,300 for every employee in the UK workforce.”

That’s a lot at stake for any company. Which is why an organisation’s mental health care approach is just as important as its physical health care one.

I recently learnt through my Surrey Chambers of Commerce colleagues about the Mental Health First Aid training courses Oakleaf runs. The courses help companies learn how to manage wellbeing and minimise the impact of mental ill-health on work and life.

With several options available, ranging from half a day to two days, the courses are designed to benefit employees, line managers, human resources professionals and senior leaders. I know of several people who have attended and recommend them.

Fundamentally, managing mental health is as important to businesses as it is individuals. As my gran (paraphrasing Mahatma Gandhi) always said: “Health is wealth.”

Claire Dee runs her own communications consultancy near Guildford and is an active member of the local business community, including sitting on the Surrey Chambers of Commerce board and co-chairing the Business Women in Surrey group. To learn more visit www.clairedeecommunications.com