Whenever we ask someone at work how they are feeling today, they tend to answer a simple “I’m doing alright” even when we can see that they look distressed.
We tend to forget to take care of ourselves when we look out for others. We don’t want to share the feeling of being overwhelmed, thinking it could be a burden to someone else. It could be at work, when socializing with friends, or even at home.
At Forest Interactive, we emphasize that mental health should matter as much as physical health, and it’s a topic we should be able to talk about openly with each other. Just because we feel a certain type of way, it does not make us weak to reveal them.
In October 2020, as a continuation of our pandemic-focused #HereForYou campaign, we kicked off the #HereForYourHealth campaign as a support to our talents and also to remind them to take care of themselves.
With the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) happening again in Malaysia, pushing employees to work from home the same month the global community observes World Mental Health Day, we wanted to put the spotlight on our talents’ mental wellbeing. The theme for this year’s mental health day is #MoveForMentalHealth.
Encouraging public awareness towards mental health around the world and advocating more conversations that can lift the veil of the taboo that surrounds this topic, this internal Forest Interactive campaign sought to destigmatize the topic of mental health so people will be more willing and open to seek treatment.
Mind the Movement: Virtual Yoga Session
In conjunction with World Mental Health Day, we organized Mind the Movement where our talents from all over the world gathered to #moveformentalhealth together virtually.
During the virtual session, we introduced the newly established Forest Yoga Club. Angela Esmita, a talent in the Forest family and newly minted club president, conducted a session teaching basic chair yoga poses for talents to do without leaving their workspace – perfect for when they need a quick break. Angela taught talents different poses to stretch different parts of the body, while reminding them to be more aware of their breathing to attain a higher level of consciousness.
Talents were also exposed to the benefits of yoga including increased flexibility, improved breathing that can help relieve stress, ease anxiety, and alleviate panic disorder symptoms.
At the end of the yoga session, early bird members of the Forest Yoga Club also received a free yoga mat and yoga bag. The Forest Yoga club is open to talents worldwide as the sessions will be streamed virtually, making mindfulness accessible whenever, wherever.
Mental Health at Your Fingertips
Prior to the event, Forest Interactive’s Corporate PR department sent out internal email newsletters containing online resources for mental wellbeing recommended by our own talents. These resources include mobile applications that can be downloaded via the Apple App Store and Google Play. In the email blast, talents were also reminded of the Zen Tank (the nap room!) and massage chair at the company’s headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.
The infographics intend to remind talents that there is help is all around them if they are struggling emotionally. Sometimes, we may think that our minds are bodies are overreacting when in fact it is a sign that we need to be kinder to ourselves and attend to these symptoms.
By providing these resources and establishing mindfulness clubs, ultimately at Forest Interactive, we would like to remind our talents that we are #HereForYourHealth.
Company Profile
Brand Identity Guidelines
