This week has been Mental Health Awareness Week and a valuable opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and well-being. At LY Copywriting, it’s made us reflect on how you can stay sensitive in your messaging and address mental health in your marketing without looking like you’re jumping on the bandwagon.
Burnout, anxiety and stress are everywhere.
According to the 2023 stress statistics report by Champion Health, the most common cause of stress is work-related, with 79% of people saying they frequently felt it. In an increasingly demanding world of work, more people are now regularly facing burnout and anxiety. According to a recent Employee Experience Platform LumApps study, over 88% of UK workers have experienced burnout in the past 2 years due to pressures in the workplace.
A chance to offer support – sensitively
With workplace stress continuing to affect more people, offering awareness and support can help those struggling. You can also share resources and ideas or signpost mental health charities. Taking proactive steps to support mental health shows that you take the issue seriously and are committed to making a positive impact.
But when it comes to marketing, it can be difficult to address the issue without seeming like you’re just trying to jump on the bandwagon. The answer lies in approaching the topic sensitively and authentically while raising awareness for the cause.
So how can you address these issues in your marketing without coming across as insincere? The key is to be authentic and genuine, sharing your own experiences if you feel comfortable or the stories of others who have struggled with burnout, anxiety, or other mental health issues.
Working Mum Stress
One area we can speak about with authenticity at LY Copywriting is the anxiety and stress working mums feel. Founder and Chief Copywriter Lauren shares a familiar feeling amongst many working mums, especially those running a business. “I know I have the right to want to work, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t the constant questioning of whether my actions are right for my kids and not just my business. And the anxiety that comes with comparing myself to other mums for whatever reason at times can be almost overwhelming.”
Lauren also reflected that the key to managing the overwhelm is “to surround myself with people who champion what I’m doing and remind me that whether it’s deciding to send that email or spend time on your 5-year-old’s phonics at bedtime, it’s about what matters most at that moment..” She adds “Conquering mum guilt isn’t a task you can tick off; in fact, I’d compare it to a cup with a small hole in it; My confidence and conviction in what I’m doing can slowly leak away. So, I make sure I spend time with other working mums who share my drive. This tops up my levels again and keeps anxiety and stress from running away with itself.”
Lauren’s recent powerful and personal article ‘Building and Agency as a Mum in Marketing‘ shares the stories of eight other inspiring agency owners who have found their own ways to cope with working mum guilt. These women are open and honest about their struggles which helps us all to feel a little less alone, knowing that however successful and shiny we may look, we are all facing hidden battles and the perpetual plate spinning.
Continue to authentically share
At the end of mental health awareness week, we’ve realised that openly sharing your own experiences, offering resources and support, and being genuine in your messaging can positively impact others and continue breaking down stigmas surrounding mental health.
So, let’s not just raise awareness for a chosen week in May – let’s keep supporting each other with authentic stories of our mental health struggles and successes.
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