Can We Talk? — Goliners Open Up About Their Move for Mental Health Experience

By: Bailey Atkinson, Junior Copywriter, Golin Hong Kong

When our Golin office here in Hong Kong announced that it would once again be partnering up with Mind HK for their Move It for Mental Health campaign in February, it was only mere minutes before Goliners and our group chats were buzzing with action. With memos from team captains, boomerangs of activities such as yoga and hula hooping, and the creation of flashy team banners making their way around the room, everyone was excited. Even now, in March, the buzz surrounding fitness is still going — we’re prepared to Move It all year round.

And thanks to Golin’s monthly health and well-being allowance of HK$580, which can be used towards gym membership, music classes or even pet care, it’s easy to stay motivated. Our company motto of “Go All In” isn’t restricted to just our working hours — it’s a sentiment that applies to everything we do, including our physical and mental health.

This year, as to mark the conclusion of our Move It for Mental Health month, we decided to speak with a few Goliners and find out why they think having a workplace that prioritises all kinds of health is essential.

Benefits Emotional Well-being

Studies show that the benefits of exercise go beyond physical well-being, suggesting that those who exercise frequently have higher levels of coherence, more robust feeling of social integration and are less likely to suffer from mental health burdens. Staying productive during the workweek is especially important to our Senior Manager Cyndi Cheng, who shared her thoughts on the topic, saying: “If we are emotionally healthy and happy, we are more motivated, focused and can better cope with pressure and stress when the time comes. For PR agency staff, mental health is so easily neglected because of the fast pace of the job nature, yet this topic should be openly discussed and taken care of.”

Encourages Transparency

Countries have reported that over 90% of employees who take time off due to stress, instead gave their employer another reason for their absence, and in 2018, it was reported that Mental Health Apps made over US$587.9M, in part to due to individuals being more comfortable seeking help privately rather than from professionals or even speaking one-on-one with friends for support. Ailee Slater, Senior Copywriter, shares her thoughts on pushing transparency: “For me, it’s important that I have an employer who I can be open and honest with, and sees the importance in not only my physical but also my mental well-being. Life can be unpredictable, so sometimes I use my wellness allowance for a fitness class, sometimes I use it for music lessons and other months I may need it for mindfulness classes. Physical and mental health are equally important to me, so working for a company that feels the same is empowering.”

Establishes a Community

While Move It for Mental Health finished at the end of February, people here at Golin are still interested in how we can look after our mental and physical health independently and as a community of colleagues. Speaking with Lottie Longford, Associate Director, Health & Wellness, about community building through physical activity, she shared, “It is truly integral to our well-being that we have mental health support across multiple facets of our lives; the right support can be life-saving and life-making. Working out gives me the chance to get out of my head and into my body; ‘movement’ represents so much more than physically moving our bodies — it’s a movement of minds, spirits and community. Having the right people to be active with keeps me motivated — whether it be hula-hooping in the office with fellow Goliners or attending a fitness class with a friend, the connection you feel together is truly irreplaceable.”

This article was written in support of Mind HK’s Move it for Mental Health campaign, which seeks to raise awareness of how exercise impacts both our mental and physical well-being. To learn more about Move It for Mental Health, please visit www.moveithk.com

This article is informative only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

For a list of emergency contacts, please visit: www.mind.org.hk/find-help-now/

For non-urgent services, please visit our Community Directory: www.mind.org.hk/community-directory/

Questions? Email the team at media@mind.org.hk