HPB recently launched Mind Your Relationships, a community mental well being awareness programme on 28 March 2008. The aim is reach out to the general community with an emphasis on reaping the benefits of social support to positively impact personal mental wellness.

“Building positive relationships contribute to an individual’s mental wellness in many ways. Studies have shown that adults who are mentally healthy missed fewer workdays, and reported the fewest chronic physical diseases and conditions,” said Ms Ms Sng Yan Ling, Manager of Mental Health Education Department at HPB.

Ms Sng added that “Colleagues at work can often be a huge source of support. They could be the people you turn to when you need a listening ear, a hand to manage new challenges at work, or just someone to share good news with.”

Considering the amount of time many of us spend at work, the workplace is definitely one of the best starting points to take care of our mental wellbeing.

As part of the Mind Your Relationships programme, a series of 12 Zo cards will be made available at island wide venues, from April 2008 to March 2009. Each Zo card contains a message and easy-to-follow fun tip to encourage individuals to work on nurturing healthy relationships. Workplaces can also look forward to getting these Zo cards in the month of October! Keep a look out for our emailer closer to date!

Other activities of the Mind Your Relationships programme include talks, workshops and contests to increase the awareness of the benefits of building good relationships. A series of educational talks, “Nurturing Your Mind” is conducted every 3rd Saturday afternoon of the month at the Singapore Bontanic Gardens More details are available on www.healthymind.sg

To find out how workplaces can start and sustain a Mental Wellbeing programme, attend a free seminar organised by HPB on 15 May titled, Mental Wellness at the Workplace - It Starts with You. Click here for more details. Do encourage your colleagues to nurture positive relationships and achieve optimal mental wellbeing. To start the ball rolling, here’s what you can get them to do:

Do keep a look out for the next issue of our eNewsletter on more suggested activities and resources that will be made available for World Mental Health Day! For more ideas on what you can do at your work place, click here.