New campaign to focus on mental health in the workplace

Bournemouth University (BU) together with Dorset Mind and Why Digital, have unveiled a new video campaign targeting mental health in the workplace. The video campaign, under the hashtag #Day2Day, runs as a follow up campaign to The Drum’s “Do it Day”, launched on Thursday 1 March.

The campaign aims to inspire and destigmatise mental health in the workplace, and consists of a series of short videos from business leaders and influencers in Dorset. The videos will be a brief exploration into their personal experience of mental health both at home and within their respective fields of work.

With the speakers coming from a wide variety of industries and backgrounds, the videos will also encourage people to engage with the campaign by sharing their own stories and experiences through the Hashtag “#Day2Day”. The aim of these social stories will be to help remove any negative stigma surrounding mental health in industry. The videos themselves have been filmed and edited by Open Shutter Productions, a BU student run media business.

Marianne Storey, Chief Executive at Dorset Mind, commented: “We’re so excited to take part in this campaign alongside Why Digital, Bournemouth University and The Drum.  It’s essential that we destigmatise mental health in the workplace.  We believe that by sharing their experiences, business leaders can lead by example from the top down – the effect of this could completely change how mental health is viewed day to day.”

She added: “Poor mental health costs every business considerably – 1 in 6 employees currently experience a mental health difficulty yet the majority will not state this as a reason for sickness or absenteeism.  In real terms, a little investment can help change the workplace environment into an open and supportive place for both employees and employers.

“Dorset Mind are currently piloting ‘Dorset Mind Works,’ a mental health programme that normalises conversation about mental health, delivers education and provides support options, you can find out more information at our website.”

Including local, national and internationally renowned brands; the businesses and people sharing their experiences as part of the campaign include: Stable - Pizza, Pie & Cider, Sophie Cook, Pause Cat Cafe, members of BU staff, Dorset Healthcare, and Dorset Police among others.

Videos will be being released every two days throughout the month, with a follow up video to be released the following month.

Anyone particularly interested in this campaign should engage with the Dorset Mind social media pages via Twitter and Facebook.