Marketing for Change: what Team Marketing Society are doing for mental health

Here at the Society, being brave and tackling taboos has been at the forefront of events and content this year.

Back in April we held our first mental health event, where members talked openly and candidly about their issues. We created what we hoped was a safe space, and were frankly overwhelmed with the positive response we got on the evening.

Since then we've had mental health campaigner Hussain Manawer speak at our Summer Party, and we had Ruby Wax speaking at our Audience With, as part of the official launch of our new initiative, Marketing for Change.

At our Audience With Ruby Wax we asked our members, what pledge will you make to reduce the stigma around mental health?

For us, here's what The Marketing Society team are doing:

Gemma Greaves, chief executive
'Give five minutes to anyone that needs it.'

Sarah Woodley, commercial director
As BT used to say, 'it's good to talk". I'll commit to taking 10 minutes of my day specifically to asking my team, are you ok?'

Alex Ricketts, head of membership
'I promise to listen more and talk less, to offer an ear and give people the time to talk.'

Linda Seymour, head of events
'Mine is to ask someone in the team if they are okay each day.'

Alasdair Hall-Jones, head of global
'My pledge is to take time out of my day to day to be aware about all of our team members mental/emotional state.'

Michael Piggott, digital manager
'Be more honest about my own state of mind.'

Anna Graham, membership and data manager
'I will encourage colleagues to take up offers of help and not assume I know how they are feeling inside.'

James Sutcliffe, membership growth manager
'I pledge to make everyone feel like a valued and involved member of the team by organising regular social events (at least fortnightly). This can be after work drinks or lunches.'

Orianna Rosa Royle, digital assistant
'I will be more open about my own struggles with mental health - we need to talk to increase awareness and openness on the taboo.'

What is your pledge?

Tweet yours to us @themarketingsoc with the tag #marketing4change

Mental health is an issue your organisation can’t afford to ignore.

• 1 in 4 British workers are affected by conditions like anxiety, depression and stress every year 
• Mental ill-health is the leading cause of sickness absence in the UK, costing an average of £1,035 per employee per year
• 95% of employees calling in sick with stress gave a different reason 

By Orianna Rosa Royle, Digital Assistant at The Marketing Society