Weber Shandwick Geneva Tackles Workplace Mental Health Through The Mental Health Challenge 

This spring, Weber Shandwick Geneva tackled workplace mental health with our very own Mental Health Challenge.

April marked Stress Awareness Month and May 12th-18th marked Mental Health Awareness Week— two important moments to reflect on how stress affects our work and lives.

Nearly 50% of workers in Europe report experiencing daily work-related stress. High stress levels can also decrease productivity levels, work satisfaction, and focus.

Yet, many employees still don’t feel comfortable talking about mental health at work, showing that stigma remains a major barrier.

Now more than ever, we need open conversations and proactive strategies to build a healthier, more supportive workplace culture.

 

Understanding Stress at Work

Work-related stress remains a leading cause of poor health, accounting for nearly half of all work-related illness in recent years. Stress can manifest through physical symptoms, such as headaches, fatigue, and sleep disturbances, as well as emotional symptoms like anxiety and irritability.

At its core, stress is the body’s natural response to perceived threats or pressures, triggering the release of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.

These hormones are designed to help us respond to challenges. Chronic or excessive stress can have serious consequences for both mental and physical health, including increased risk of burnout, depression, and even chronic disease.

 

The WS Mental Health Challenge: Taking Action Together

To mark Stress Awareness Month and Mental Health Awareness Week, our team launched the WS Mental Health Challenge—a month-long initiative encouraging colleagues to engage in stress-relieving activities of their choice. The goal: raise awareness of workplace stress and promote simple, everyday actions to support mental well-being

In a team survey, the most popular activities were regular breaks (72%), talking to colleagues (63%), exercising (63%), and creative activities (27%).

Interestingly, almost half of respondents (45%) practiced their chosen activity every 3-4 days, and more than half or the participants (54%) reported a significant positive impact on their stress levels, with another third (36%) noting some positive effect.

Kate shared that: “Unplugging isn’t always easy; my mind tends to stay switched on. But taking an hour to play tennis gave me a real break. No phone, no emails, just movement and focus. And that disconnect made a bigger difference than I expected. I enjoyed my evenings more, slept better, and came back the next day feeling more grounded and clearer.”

Mariela also took this opportunity to start getting her 10k steps in. Three days a week, she committed to walking 10k steps through the scenic countryside, enjoying the sounds of nature, flowers and peace of mind…and maybe stopping for a latte along the way!

Many also experienced improved focus, productivity and teamwork. The main barriers were lack of time, forgetting, and difficulty staying motivated, but over half of participants said they would recommend their technique to other colleagues.

In the future, colleagues also said they wanted to see more scheduled breaks, group wellness activities, and access to quiet rooms.

Team members also shared photos and stories from their activities, inspiring others and showcasing our collective commitment to prioritizing mental health in our workplace.

 

Our Ongoing Commitment

Supporting mental health is not a one-off campaign but a constant priority. We are committed to fostering a culture where everyone feels safe to speak openly, seek support, and access resources. This includes opportunities for mindfulness breaks, flexible work arrangements, mental health education, open-door communication, and wellness activities like weekly yoga sessions and a run club.

Through collaborative efforts, we can effectively reduce stigma, alleviate work-related stress, and foster a healthier, more resilient workplace environment.