Michael Perry’s Post

We see you, working parents.  The U.S. Surgeon General's recent advisory - a stark warning about the intense pressure on today's parents and the potential impact on mental health and family wellbeing - validated what many of you already know: parenting is rewarding but demanding, and the need for support is real. It's a call for all of us – policymakers, employers, communities, and individuals – to step up and create a culture that values and empowers all caregivers. Employers, in particular, have a significant opportunity to provide meaningful support. For organizations hoping to make a tangible difference in the lives of working caregivers, we offer a new resource: "Caring for Your Caregivers is Good for Business." Give it a read for a deeper understanding of caregivers and the challenges they face. https://bit.ly/4goEsJ0 Let's work towards a reality where all caregivers feel seen, supported, and have the resources they need to succeed. #EmployeeWellbeing #HumanResources #LifeSpeakInc #MentalHealth

We are all caregivers. Whether you have children, aging parents or friends needing caregiving support, we are all in need of some guidance navigating this process. I hope everyone reading this post will download this ebook focusing on caregiving. It's amazing to think that seventy percent of caregivers spend 20% of their income on their caregiving responsibilities. That stat alone stuck with me in particular. Our dollar is being stretched further and further each day. If there's a way to save on caregiving costs while at the same time providing the best support possible to the recipient, I think that's a big win! This ebook outlines ways companies and employees can accomplish this. Enjoy the read!!

Next-level caregiving in the context of disproportionate mental/physical strain on those navigating day-to-day life with family these days... the main reason it made infinite sense to hitch the Torchlight wagon to LifeSpeak Inc. as a truly unique combination for holistic wellbeing. Check out our new eBook! #CaregiverSupport #MentalHealth #EmployeeWellbeing #HumanResources

“With this Advisory, I am calling for a fundamental shift in how we value and prioritize the mental health and well-being of parents. I am also outlining policies, programs, and individual actions we can all take to support parents and caregivers.” Right before Labor Day, the U.S. Surgeon General issued a new advisory, asserting that the stress faced by parents in the U.S. has reached critical levels, and calling on communities and this country to better support parents and families. The advisory evaluates the various factors contributing to deteriorating mental health among parents. One think I appreciate about the advisory is that it does not dwell in causes but instead turns quickly to recommended solution. The recommendations start out with a bang, closely aligning with the advocacy I have undertaken relating to better policies to support parents in the workforce: "[I]t's time to value and respect time spent parenting on par with time spent working at a paying job, recognizing the critical importance to society of raising children." Specific recommendations for employers include: 💲 Policies and programs that support parents and caregivers, such as flexible work schedules and access to child care (community or on-site) 🤒 Paid family and medical leave programs and paid sick time, and comprehensive and affordable mental health care 💉 Training managers on stress management and work-life harmony I have to admit, in all my advocacy I had not thought about better training managers on stress management and I love the idea. It reinforces that the workplace and workforce will be better when we cultivate a culture of empathy and support for our colleagues. Have you read the advisory yet? What stood out to you as a point you had not considered before? #lawmom #maternalhealth #parenting #mentalhealth #paidleave

We talk about supporting employee wellbeing but without taking into account the burden on caregivers- both for children and aging parents- these efforts will fail. Similarly for advocacy and environmental change- for real innovation and creative solutions we need a society that has time to pause, reflect, and rest. #wellbeing #health# burnout #sustainability https://lnkd.in/gY3j8JXE

On #WorldMentalHealthDay I want to shine a spotlight on an issue that is affecting ALL workplaces. Nearly half the UK workforce are parents, but did you know that as many as 1 in 5 children and young people are living with mental illness. For working parents and carers, getting the right balance between personal and work responsibilities is hard enough. Having concerns over your child’s mental health and wellbeing makes it even more difficult. As a parent, bringing your best self to work, or being super enthusiastic about the latest pitch or work project is nigh on impossible if your teenager is one of the 3 in 10 secondary schoolers whose anxiety is so bad they won’t go to school. Deloitte says £8bn a year is lost in the UK as parents take time off to look after their children who are mentally unwell. In another report, a third of working parents experience ‘burnout’ because of their caring responsibilities. Being overwhelmed but feeling you’re not doing enough leads to increased absence, drops in performance or leaving the workplace altogether. Parents and carers don’t want or need preferential treatment. But by being sensitive and flexible to their unique and changing needs, companies can make such a difference not only the workplace, but to the lives of working parents and their families. What are you doing in your organisation to support your working parents? #workplacewellbeing #employeewellbeing #mentalhealth

It's rare to speak to working mothers that feel relaxed and healthy and present with their children and confident in their career (believe me, I know, I speak to them all day long). Language like stressed, overwhelmed, anxious, running on empty is much more common! It blows my mind again and again that we have created a structure where health and fun are SO LOW on our collective agendas. I refuse to believe that my path here is to hustle for 65 years, battle health problems for 20 years, pour money and time into the pockets of others and then die! I'm sharing this conversation with Sybille Schneider (hit the link in the comment below to find it) as she talks about the boundaries that she has created and protected around her time, physical health, interests and family that allows her to live a life different to the "normal" in her community and industry. Take a listen to start thinking about where you can surface invisible labour, create time and space and lean into what works for you! #burnoutprevention #boundaries #worklifebalance X

When I see headlines like these, I always hope that it's partly because we have done so much more to educate and break the stigma in the UK and as such, more openly self-report in such studies. However, looking at some of the very real workforce data for this segment, I sadly fear my hope is misplaced with significant impacts on productivity, presenteeism and absenteeism. As reported here by Vitality earlier this year with "Gen Z and young millennial employees missing the equivalent of one day’s work every week due to mental health concerns" https://lnkd.in/eA5NzzVu See some further interesting/worrying stats on Gen Z and Gen Alpha impacts from Richard Norris at Bupa in this week's piece from Health & Protection https://lnkd.in/esXZsUmg https://lnkd.in/eGK4M2by

#Supporting #NewMoms in the #Workplace Isn't Just the #Right #Thing to Do — It's Also a #Smart #Business #Decision. Here's why supporting new moms in the workplace has become a #businessimperative. ------ https://lnkd.in/g9xJJyJZ ------- #KeyTakeaways ▪︎ Providing support to new moms in the workforce isn't just about what's morally right; it's also a smart business decision with tangible economic benefits. ▪︎ Studies show that untreated postpartum depression (PPD) can cost employers an estimated $6,223 per woman in lost productivity. ▪︎ Business leaders must work to create supportive cultures with mental health care tailored to preventing and addressing clinical conditions like postpartum depression.

We’re thrilled to announce the release of our much-anticipated 2024 Parents' Day Report. Our latest findings include: 💚 𝟵𝟳% of working parents state that concerns over their child’s mental health has remained the same or worsened in the last year. 💚 𝟱𝟬% of working parents are likely to reduce their working hours to manage their parenting responsibilities. 💚 𝟰𝟰% of working parents couldn’t talk to their employer about concerns over their child. To get your hands on this exclusive report, simply register to access. Don’t miss out on these crucial insights that could make a real difference in your industry/field. 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗡𝗼𝘄! https://buff.ly/4fMm9Nl #ParentsDay #IndustryInsights #DataReport #RegisterNow #ProfessionalGrowth