Mind & Body Are One: Small Steps Toward Better Mental Health

I often catch myself defaulting to “I’m fine” when someone asks how I’m doing. Admitting that you might not be fine on a given day can feel like a lot to share. It’s easier to stay on the surface, after all, maybe the other person isn’t ready to really listen.

The truth is, most of us have been there. Behind polite smiles, there’s usually more than meets the eye. And that’s exactly why World Mental Health Day matters. This year’s message is clearer than ever: well-being isn’t just about physical health or mental health in isolation—it’s about both, together. Mind and body as one.

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The bigger picture

Research backs up what many of us already feel. McKinsey’s Future of Wellness report shows how people are investing more in mental wellbeing than ever before, from therapy apps to mindfulness practices. At the same time, The Global Wellness Institute emphasizes that “2025 must be the year we move from seeing mental health as an individual responsibility to treating it as something we all share”.

This shift resonates deeply with me. Looking back on times when I’ve struggled, what truly made the difference wasn’t just what I did on my own, but the people who reached out and showed they cared.

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Small moments, Big difference

At Accedo, we believe that taking care of mental health doesn’t have to mean grand gestures. It’s about the everyday choices and habits that slowly add up.

• Pausing for five minutes of mindful breathing.
• Asking a colleague, “How are you, really?” and being ready to listen.
• Standing up and stretching between calls.
• Writing down three things you’re grateful for.
• Taking the time for a coffee with someone outside your usual circle.

These may sound like small things, but they matter. In fact, they often matter more than we realize.

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Mental Health Week 2025 at Accedo

In Accedo we will this year, starting October 6 leading up to the World Mental health day October 10, highlight this under the theme “Mind & Body Are One.” Each day has its own focus — from mindfulness and open conversations to gratitude and connection

• Mindful Monday helps us start with calm.
• Talk About It Tuesday encourages us to normalize conversations.
• Wellness Wednesday reminds us to move for our minds, not just our bodies.
  Thoughtful Thursday brings gratitude into focus.
  Connection Friday, which happens to be World Mental Health Day, celebrates the importance of community.

And it doesn’t stop there. Local teams across all our 15 locations are adding their own creative touches — from quiet spaces for reflection to activities like ‘Paint Out Your Stress’. These initiatives are simple, approachable, and accessible to everyone.

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We are doing this together

World Mental Health Day isn’t about a specific date or a one-off campaign. It’s about the culture we create together. A culture where it’s normal to ask for help and where we remember that wellbeing is a shared responsibility.

So this October 10, let’s take a small step.💙