World Mental Health Day: Time to prioritise mental health in the workplace

As we approach World Mental Health Day 2024 on 10 October, the importance of addressing mental health in the business meetings and events industry has never been more critical…

According to wellbeing not-for-profit EventWell, one in three event professionals struggle with their mental wellbeing every year, furthering the need for ongoing action.

With this year’s World Mental Health Day theme, of ‘prioritising mental health in the workplace’, we have gathered insights from key industry figureheads to find out what they and their organisations are doing to encourage a healthier, more supportive environment for all.

What is the event industry doing to prioritise mental health in the workplace this World Mental Health Day

Sarah Ainsworth, chief executive officer, Central Hall Venues:

“We work in a busy and sometimes pressured industry that can take its toll on our mental and physical health if neither are kept in check. We spend a third of our adult life at work so we at Central Hall Venues believe employers have a responsibility to make the workplace as supportive as possible.

“To ensure health and wellbeing remains at the forefront, and our team continues to receive appropriate support while at work, earlier this year we launched a dedicated Health and Wellbeing Team, one of five new cross-departmental focus groups.

“Made up of eight members, the Health and Wellbeing Team aims to support colleagues physically, emotionally, and mentally. Initiatives, already implemented by the group at Central Hall Westminster, for example, include holding a mental health day and distributing a mental health survey to staff to help identify areas where we can offer further improvement / support.

“These initiatives are in addition to the ongoing support already available, including an employee assistance programme and Mental Health First Aiders trained through St John’s Ambulance. They are available for anyone to meet with for confidential chats and signposting, with monthly drop-in sessions planned for the future.

“In our recent survey, we scored an overall 3.95 out of 5 for the level of health and wellbeing at Central Hall Westminster; we are encouraged by this and strive to ensure good mental health and wellbeing remains at the heart of our operation.  We look forward to the World Mental Health Awareness Day in October 2024 as an opportunity for us to engage with our team.”

Rafael Azzopardi, head of events at Regent’s Events:

“I’ve seen firsthand the intense demands that hospitality and events professionals face, from long hours to the pressure of delivering flawless experiences for every guest. More than ever, it’s crucial that we acknowledge the mental health challenges faced by our industry and take proactive steps to address them. Mental health isn’t just a personal concern — it’s a collective responsibility that affects the wellbeing of our teams, the satisfaction of our clients, and the success of our business.

“As we conclude our busiest season of events, we’re diving into the relationship between wellness and mental health as a key factor in event planning and are currently designing a dedicated wellness package for delegates through partnerships with accredited and professionally trained experts. Our venue is set up to help guests reconnect with nature through outdoor meetings, wellness activities, and scheduled breaks in our serene garden areas. Research consistently shows that spending time outdoors can reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance cognitive function. By incorporating these elements into our event packages, we aim to create an environment where creativity can flourish and stress is minimised, ensuring that every event is not just successful, but also supportive of the mental wellbeing of both staff and attendees.”

Jacqui Greet, CSR Manager, Ascot Racecourse:

“To ensure the wellbeing of both our workforce and customers, we prioritise mental health support through various internal and external initiatives at Ascot, which serve a dual purpose to benefit guests and employees alike. As our employees are actively involved in supporting these projects, their participation helps raise awareness and supports a deeper understanding of mental health to create a more inclusive, supportive environment.

“Customer-centric activities such as meet-and-greets with Side Glance – our equine ambassador – to offer equine therapy for those suffering with dementia offers many benefits including improving nonverbal communication skills and boosting confidence. Having Side Glance interact with people facing mental health challenges has proven hugely successful at events we hosted within the community.

“Another example is hosting the Berkshire Healthcare Trust Charity Bus to raise awareness and funds for mental health support in the region, particularly fundraising for a new cardio wall for their inpatient mental health hospital.

“Events such as these help our employees identify and respond to signs of stress or mental health challenges, whether their own, that of their peers or our customers. By intertwining employee engagement with customer-focused initiatives, we aim to create a holistic approach to mental health that supports our entire Ascot community.”

Clare Arouche, head of hospitality & events at the National Gallery:

“Inspired creativity – whether immersing yourself in a creative process such as painting, or appreciating the creative efforts of others – has a recognised positive impact on mental health. Getting lost in a creative act or taking time out to admire artistic works can help alleviate stress and anxiety because they distract us from our worries and concerns.

“Working amongst the world’s greatest art and being encouraged to connect with, and appreciate and respect it as part of the event delivery means creativity and enrichment are embedded in the culture at The National Gallery. Providing an environment where creativity and mindfulness can thrive in synchrony therefore promotes better mental health within our team, too.”

Jack Marczewski, portfolio event director at Northstar Meetings Group

“Having personal experience of the pressures of event delivery and how that can affect your mental health, I feel it is so important to ensure we keep mental health and wellbeing at the forefront of The Meetings Show.  It’s why we have teamed up with the amazing wellbeing not-for-profit EventWell for the last four years.

“This fantastic organisation runs a free Wellbeing Hub at the show, including a Quiet Room – a calm space offering sanctuary to anyone who needs it – and a Wellbeing Bar hosting breathing and yoga sessions.

“EventWell Hosts, who are trained in mental health first aid and neurodiversity awareness, are available over the two days to support visitors while they are at the show. They also provide top tips and support for self-care and self-help, so that event professionals can manage stress and feel less overwhelmed when they are back in the office or working onsite at their own events.”

Austin Eaton, head of marketing at Clean the World Europe and UK:

“CSR initiatives, such as CTW Events who provide CSR events and team building solutions for businesses, offer meaningful opportunities for employees to give back to their communities, resulting in enhanced feelings of achievement and a deeper sense of purpose in their professional lives. Volunteerism, in particular, has proven to have a profound positive impact on mental health, supporting the social and occupational elements of wellness. When employees are given the chance to come together, and participate in initiatives that make a difference, they experience a boost in morale and job satisfaction.

CTW Events has engaged with over 290,000 attendees globally through their events programme, with volunteers who truly buy into their values and vision to offer extraordinary team-building experiences that purposefully engage participants and positively impact the communities where they live, work, and play.

“The sense of fulfilment that comes from contributing to a greater cause helps to alleviate stress, encourages teamwork, and enhances a company’s culture of care. By encouraging employees to engage in CSR activities, companies can cultivate a supportive environment where mental health is valued as much as performance, ultimately benefiting both individuals and the organisation as a whole.”