AXON Demonstrates Strong Commitment to Wellbeing During Mental Health Awareness Week

 

London, United Kingdom – 14 May 2019 – AXON London today announced its intention to work towards the ‘Time to Change Employer Pledge’, a growing social movement of more than 1000 employers in England, committed to changing how we think and act about mental health in the workplace and ensure employees are supported.

AXON will sign the pledge upon completion and approval of a robust action plan developed collaboratively with Time to Change, aimed at reducing stigma around mental health in the workplace. The announcement of the intention to pledge coincides with Mental Health Awareness Week (13–19 May), when AXON and sister agency Madano will have several initiatives planned each day, based on the Five Ways to Wellbeing, and will be showcasing how staff members can manage their wellbeing or provide support to others.

“As someone who is diagnosed with depression and generalized anxiety disorder, and works daily to manage my own mental health, I am passionate about this space and in particular about fostering a supportive and nurturing workplace culture for all employees,” said Elisabeth Mozel-Jury, Director, AXON. “It is very likely that almost everyone will face a mental health challenge, whether in themselves or in a friend, family member or colleague, at some point in their life. It is vital that they have the support they need to talk about and manage these challenges without stigma, and we want to ensure that our staff feel supported.”

Although this week is a very important milestone, mental health and wellbeing are aspects AXON focusses on year-round. With a formal wellbeing program, the agency provides support to employees across a broad spectrum of offerings, including a weekly wellbeing program, annual wellness benefit, and a weekly wellbeing program and flexible working in addition to supporting charitable and awareness activities.

This past weekend, in the lead up to Mental Health Awareness Week, eight staff from AXON, and sister agency Madano, participated in the Three Peaks Challenge, a test to climb the three highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales, within 24 hours. The ultimate purpose of walking 23 miles and a total ascent of 3,064 meters was to raise money for Mind, the mental health charity. The Madano and AXON team successfully raised a total of £6,000 via the funding page and cash donations for Mind, and completed the challenge with a few minutes to spare!

Mental health problems will affect 1 in 4 people in the UK each year. People experiencing poor mental health can feel isolated, lonely and ashamed. At AXON, we believe that when people and organisations can speak openly about mental health, we can help to reduce stigma and to support those in need. Have you been inspired by what AXON Communications is doing? If so, donate towards the vital cause of Mind to help them empower anyone experiencing mental health problems.

AXON and Wellbeing
At AXON, a healthcare communications company, mental health is a cause close to the agency’s heart. In 2018, AXON launched a formal Wellbeing Program with its goal ‘to support employees in positively managing their own wellbeing and helping them understand how they can positively influence the wellbeing of others.’ Alongside this, AXON invested in several employees gaining an accreditation from Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England as MHFA Champions, who are empowered to support colleagues’ positive wellbeing and to signpost employees and managers towards further specialized support. Earlier this year, AXON received the Excellence in Wellbeing recognition from Great Place to Work®.

Time to Change
We are Time to Change, a growing movement of people changing how we all think and act about mental health problems. Their voice is stronger and louder thanks to funding from the Department of Health and Social Care, Comic Relief and the Big Lottery Fund using National Lottery funding. The campaign is run by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, and thousands more organisations have joined us to make change happen.
For more information go to www.time-to-change.org.uk

 

About AXON

At AXON, we simplify complex information to improve outcomes in healthcare, bringing together the right people with the right expertise to provide our clients with integrated, multichannel communications solutions. As an agency, we are passionate about healthcare communications and combine a personal touch with professionalism. Our expertise includes medical communications, public relations, clinical trial services and market access communications for pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, animal health and functional food companies. AXON has an international reach, with offices in London, New York, Toronto, Copenhagen, Zug (Switzerland) and Brighton, and a worldwide affiliate network. Established in 2002, AXON is an AVENIR GLOBAL company.