Tomorrow is World Mental Health Day, an opportunity to promote positive mental health, encourage people to #StartTheConversation, and support those struggling.
The World Health Organisation estimates that more than 1 billion people are living with mental, neurological, and substance use disorders. In 2023, the WHO estimated 15% of working-age adults were living with a mental disorder. In Japan, a 2024 report released by the Health, Labour and Welfare Ministry stated that mental health concerns had tripled over the last twenty years. It is estimated that depression and anxiety cost the global economy US $1 trillion each year, predominantly through lost productivity in sick days and absenteeism.
The theme this year is prioritising mental health in the workplace. With global rates of burnout, anxiety, and job-related stress remaining stubbornly high, our work lives and mental health are more intertwined than ever before. At TELL, we understand the importance of fostering mental health in every aspect of life. That’s why we offer a range of sponsorship packages designed for organisations committed to making a real difference. Our cost-effective packages provide a variety of impactful touchpoints (available 4x, 6x, or every month), offering meaningful ways to engage your team. These touchpoints include outdoor activities like the Tokyo Tower Climb (May 2025) and the Step-up Challenge (September – October 2025), mental health workshops and exclusive tickets to specialised events. Take this opportunity to show your commitment to mental health and create lasting change in your workplace.
Here are a few simple actions you can take to support mental health and well-being on World Mental Health Day and other workdays.
- Walk as a group – There is still one more day to participate in this year’s Step Up Challenge and walk 21,837 steps individually or as a group to honor the 21,837 lives lost to suicide in Japan in 2023. Check out IHG Japan’s video showcasing their Step Up Challenge!
- Get enough sleep – Lack of sleep can negatively affect your physical and mental well-being and overall quality of life.
- See a therapist – Therapy is like anything else we do to maintain our health; attending mental health counseling sessions is a great way to support our overall emotional well-being, help us manage challenges and stressors, and learn tools and strategies to keep our minds healthy.
- Turn off notifications on your phone in the evenings – Give yourself some downtime every day and detox off your phone.
- Talk and socialise more – Talking and interacting with others stimulates your brain and improves your well-being.
- Journal – Journaling is a great way to deal with stress, anxiety, and depression and help you identify your stressors and worries.
- Take a daily walk – Physical exercise will not only keep you physically strong but also keep you mentally alert and reduce stress.
- Do something you love – Engaging in hobbies, sports, or activities you love helps decrease stress, lower blood pressure, and improve your mood.
- Take a few minutes every day to practice meditation – Yoga, relaxation exercises, and mindfulness have all been shown to decrease stress levels and blood pressure, help with sleep, and improve overall brain function.
- Eat a healthy diet and stay hydrated – Staying hydrated and maintaining a healthy gut leads to a healthy mind, better sleep, and mental wellness.
- Have a rest day every week – Read a book, watch a movie, take a long bath, and relax.
- Volunteer – This is a great way to help us make great connections, and it feels good to help others. At TELL we have several ways people can volunteer.
- Spend time with pets or animals – People of all ages find that having a pet improves their mood, lowers their stress, and eases loneliness.
- Practice self-compassion and gratitude – Treat yourself with respect and kindness, and try to avoid self-criticism.
- Set goals and priorities – Setting short and long-term goals to look forward to helps us feel more in control, motivated, and self-confident.
If you or anyone you know is struggling, please reach out to our Lifeline either via our Toll-free number 0800-300-8355 or you can chat with us at https://telljp.com/lifeline/. If you need to talk, we are here to listen. You are not alone.
WorldMentalHealthDay #starttheconversation