"People who need help sometimes look a lot like people who don't need help.” – Glennon Doyle Melton

Whether it's a quick message, a phone call, or a coffee catch-up, checking in shows you care, you're there to support, and most importantly, you're listening. It strengthens bonds, boosts morale, and fosters a sense of belonging in our personal and professional circles.

Our global study on the state of mental wellbeing in the communication profession indicated only around 50% of communication professionals are actively checking in on their colleagues, and around the same number of managers are actively checking in on their team members.

Taking a moment to ask how someone is truly doing can have a profound impact on their mental wellbeing. Here are five tips for regularly checking in on friends, employees and colleagues:

1. Set aside dedicated times each week or month to reach out to your friends, employees or colleagues. It could be a quick mid-week message or a monthly coffee catch-up. Consistency is key to building and maintaining strong connections.
2. Mix up your communication methods to suit the preferences of those you're checking in on. Some might prefer a phone call, while others may appreciate a text message, email, or even a handwritten note. Adapt to what works best for each individual.
3. When reaching out, be sincere in your intentions. Ask specific questions about how they're doing, their recent projects, or any challenges they may be facing. Show genuine interest in their wellbeing and listen attentively to their responses.
4. If someone expresses difficulties or challenges during your check-in, offer your support and encouragement. Be empathetic, validate their feelings, and offer practical assistance if needed. Sometimes, just knowing that someone cares can make all the difference.
5. Don't let the conversation end after your initial check-in. Follow up regularly to see how they're progressing or if they need further assistance. Building a habit of consistent follow-ups strengthens relationships and demonstrates your ongoing support and commitment.

We often underestimate the impact of our actions, but in reality, they can be a lifeline for someone who might be silently struggling.

 If you’re looking for a supportive community, join our free monthly mental wellbeing forum.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, conversations surrounding mental health have gained more attention. But how are we actually doing? Toward the latter part of 2023, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released its National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing.  The study had many insightful findings, including:
•    42.9% of respondents aged 16–85 years had experienced a mental disorder at some point in their lifetime
•     21.5% of respondents experienced a 12-month mental disorder, with Anxiety being the most common one reported (17.2% of people aged 16–85 years)
•    38.8% of respondents aged 16–24 years had a 12-month mental disorder

The ABS defines a mental health disorder as a “clinically significant disturbance in an individual’s cognition, emotional regulation, or behaviour” and recognises that this can include many disorders, including “Anxiety, Affective and Substance Use disorders.” These disorders can have a significant impact on someone’s personal relationships, friendships, and occupational life. Recognising the wide-ranging impact of mental health disorders on personal and professional life highlights the need for supportive workplaces.

The World Health Organization released a separate study which found that a fulfilling job helps protect mental health by offering:
•    a means of earning
•    a feeling of confidence, direction, and fulfillment
•    a community to belong to
•    and a structured routine to follow.

However, your job can also hurt your mental health if the workloads are overwhelming, if you don’t have proper support available to you, and if you are required to work long, inflexible hours with little opportunity for socialising. 

At the Centre for Strategic Communication Excellence, we recognise the importance of addressing mental wellbeing, especially within the workplace. We authored a free e-book to help organisations navigate mental wellbeing. If you’d like some guidance on how to ensure your workplace supports the mental health of your workers, download our e-book today!

We are thrilled to announce that our very own Sia Papageorgiou FRSA, GCSCE, SCMP, is our newest CSCE Fellow.

Sia is our managing partner at the Centre for Strategic Communication Excellence and co-founder of The Alignment People and Gifted Professionals & Communicators Community. She’s a multi-award-winning communication leader who has elevated the value and visibility of communication professionals globally and has helped them become trusted, strategic, and in-demand advisors.

“Sia Papageorgiou is seen for more than just her leadership within the CSCE but also her leadership in our global profession. With over 50 awards for her communication work alone, she has also been recognised as a leader at the local, regional and international levels of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), receiving the chapter leader award at IABC Victoria, Communicator of the Year Award in the Asia Pacific region and the prestigious Rae Hamlin Award for her work in evangelising global certification.

Sia is a thought leader in strategic communication management and has had a long and distinguished career in the public and private sectors. She has been asked to speak at dozens of industry conferences, sharing her strategic knowledge and insight. Sia also champions women in PR and mental wellbeing within the communication profession. She is active with the Global Alliance for PR and Communication Management, having spoken on a panel recently in Chennai, India, for the World PR Forum. Sia has introduced new ways of thinking about the practice of professional communication through the many research projects she has led. Two pieces of work she initiated were a global research study about the state of mental wellbeing in the communication profession in 2021 amidst a worldwide pandemic. It was a unique study that resulted in an awareness building of the need for communication professionals to be in touch with their mental wellbeing. Before the study, Sia co-authored the publication ‘Mental Health & Wellbeing: A Guide Through the Noise for Communication Professionals, in 2020. The other significant and groundbreaking study was on Communicating Artificial Intelligence. Sia led the work in 2019 to produce The AI Playbook for Communication Professionals out of that research, supporting professionals globally in advising organisations on communicating about AI. The playbook was awarded an IABC Gold Quill Award of Excellence,” says CSCE founding partner Adrian Cropley OAM.

Congratulations, Sia! Thank you for your tireless efforts in enhancing the value and visibility of communication professionals, as well as for your remarkable contributions to the CSCE!

What to expect:
💜 Engaging conversations: Connect with like-minded professionals who understand the demands of our profession.
💜 Expert insights: Gain valuable insights from mental health professionals who specialise in supporting communication experts.
💜 Strategies for balance: Learn practical strategies to balance the demands of your career with your mental wellbeing.
💜 Safe space: This is a judgment-free zone where you can share experiences and find solace in the company of peers.

Date and time

Tue 16th Apr 2024, 9:00 am - Wed 17th Apr 2024, 5:00 pm AEST

Location

Cliftons Melbourne - Collins Street
1/440 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

This two-day course teaches communication professionals how to plan and implement communication initiatives grounded in business thinking that adds greater value to stakeholders and deliver business results. From analysing the business environment to defining needs, segmenting audiences and delivering measurable outcomes, you'll walk away with the tools and techniques to build your credibility as a trusted in-demand communication professional.

Course Outline:
•    Day 1: Understanding business needs, setting SMART objectives, audience segmentation.
•    Day 2: Crafting key messages, tactical implementation, measuring impact, personal branding.

This course is part of a series, you can learn more below.

Strategic Communication Management 2: Strategic Advisor (Melbourne)

Strategic Communication Management 3: Business Leader (Melbourne)

Don't like these emails? Unsubscribe here