Post Event Takeaways

These days, few would argue that mental health is as important to our overall well-being as physical health. By making important information more accessible and actionable, by leveraging technology responsibly, building resilience and equipping individuals with techniques to manage life’s unexpected challenges, we can all help in creating a society – and an industry – that values mental well-being.

Impact of technology: In an era of digital connectivity, technology serves as a double-edged sword. Platforms like TikTok and YouTube allow mental health professionals to disseminate important educational content to new audiences. But the ubiquity of social media clearly has an enormous impact on mental health, particularly among the young. The chronic imagery immersion brought about by constant social media bombardment can so easily trigger negative reactions. With the long-term effect of overwhelming digital exposure still unknown, monitoring and managing screen time has never been more important.

The importance of resilience: Building resilience is a lifelong learning process in which individuals must constantly recalibrate their approach to stress. Practical, self-help tools such as “values exercises” allow people to assess their own lives periodically, identify imbalances and refocus efforts to manage stress and anxiety. Building resilience in children often starts with adults: by practicing self-care and maintaining respectful self-relationships, adults can create supportive environments and allow children to emulate their behaviour.

Long-term effects of the pandemic: Adverse effects stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic continue to be evident throughout society. The significant disruptions experienced by children in their education and social interactions is still visible in the form of a widespread reluctance to attend school. Addressing such challenges involves a comprehensive approach that includes open communication, therapy and a supportive environment both at home and in schools. 

Corporate responsibilities: The growing acknowledgement of the importance of mental health in corporate settings is encouraging, albeit one that remains unevenly applied. Stress management education has become more common in the C-Suite, while proactive companies have begun to provide access to mental health services to support their employees’ wellbeing. Even if viewed only through the narrow lens of enlightened self-interest, creating more resilience in the workforce is clearly desirable if it benefits both the employees and the enterprise itself.