How Businesses can Fix the Self-Care Hijack and Relieve Individual Burden

The self-care industry brings in millions of dollars around the world annually. But are we pushing too far on individual responsibility for mental health and wellness? What responsibility do businesses have to take care of their teams? That’s covered in Episode 27 of the Faithful on the Clock podcast.Timestamps:[00:05] - Intro[00:43] - The number of people demonstrating symptoms of mental health conditions is increasing rapidly, exacerbated by the pandemic.[01:39] - The stigma against mental health is starting to fade.[02:07] - The shift in view about mental health begs the question: Where does personal responsibility for wellness end and social responsibility start?[02:30] - American culture puts high stress on individual responsibility.[03:42] - Self-care has been hijacked by companies who are profiting from the idea of individual responsibility. They are making money as we fail to fix broken systems or provide real cultural accountability.[05:09] - Scriptures such as Galatians 5:14, Proverbs 11:25, and Philippians 2:4 show convey the concept of social responsibility. [06:25] - We are not meant to be islands. We’re supposed to look out for each other, rather than focus only on ourselves and our own interests. This can start just by observing and checking in.[07:07] - Rather than assuming what is best for employees, ask for feedback so that you are providing the right kind of care or support that’s actually helpful and desired.[08:04] - Think bigger than your business and take steps like donating to charities, petitioning representatives, etc. to close loopholes and encourage a culture of true community.[09:23] - Prayer[10:16] - Outro/What’s coming up nextKey takeaways:Mental health concerns are on the rise, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The positive side of this is that the trend toward recognition of mental health and wellness needs also is going up.American cultures–and other cultures around the world–stress individual responsibility heavily. That has placed many people in Catch-22 situations where it is difficult for them to get the help they really need.Businesses have capitalized on the concept that people should be responsible for themselves, turning mental wellness into a $121 billion industry. At the same time, we are not addressing the root concerns that lead people into distress in the first place.We are not meant to cope alone. There’s a lot you can do inside your company and in your community to restore the balance of individual and collective responsibility. Relevant Links:It’s a New Era for Mental Health at WorkWellness Industry Statistics & FactsWho’s Liable for Stress on the Job?Managing Mental Health in the Workplace–Obligations and Best PracticesCTAs:Inside your business, observe and reach out, figure out what employees actually want, and be willing to restructure your models.In your community, challenge the notion that people have to fend for themselves by donating to charities that bring communities together, lobby government representatives, and join forces to have an influence toward social change.What’s coming up next:The world is tough. It can eat you alive if you don’t stay positive. But what about toxic positivity? How is it different from healthy positivity, what damage can it cause in a business, and how can you stop it? That’s in Episode 27 of the Faithful on the Clock podcast.