Mental health in the workplace has long been whispered about in break rooms and private conversations, but rarely addressed in the open—that is, until recently. In the last few years, there’s been a push to turn the tide on mental health and make this topic less taboo.
Artemis Marketing decided to challenge that narrative with an innovative approach: a company-wide bikeathon in support of The Woodpecker Project, a mental health charity dedicated to breaking down barriers and fostering open dialogue about mental wellbeing. The event, held on 10th October, proved to be more than just a fundraising initiative; it became a catalyst for transformation in how the team approaches mental health conversations and supports one another.
Breaking the mental health stigma
The statistics are sobering: one in four employees struggles with mental health challenges, yet many of us aren’t comfortable discussing these issues at work or know how to spot the signs in those around us. This silence comes at a steep cost, not just in terms of productivity losses (estimated to be over £42 billion annually in the UK), but also in the emotional toll it takes on our colleagues and friends.
Given that we spend the majority of our waking hours at work and with colleagues, the office should be a space where mental health conversations are normalised and support is readily available. Progressive companies are increasingly recognising that mental health initiatives aren’t just a nice-to-have benefit—they’re a crucial investment in their most valuable asset: their staff.
The Artemis Marketing Bikeathon: More than a fundraiser
When the concept of an in-office bikeathon was first proposed, the team at Artemis envisioned a simple fundraising event. But what emerged was something far more powerful. Staff from across different departments took turns on a stationary bike, cheering each other on through the challenging moments and celebrating each milestone reached. The physical exertion created a unique equalising effect—everyone faced the same challenge. Throughout the day, the office buzzed with energy and the abstract concept of mental wellbeing became more relevant.
Building teams through a shared purpose
The beauty of fundraising as a team lies in its ability to create natural opportunities for connection. As team members rotated through their cycling shifts, conversations flowed effortlessly. People who might not have interacted with one another ordinarily found themselves offering encouragement and building connections which will extend to the rest of the business’ day to day.
Building resilience within a team involves cultivating a shared mindset that aligns everyone around common goals and values. This mindset allows us to view challenges as shared responsibilities rather than individual burdens, and that goes for personal problems as well as workplace issues. With supportive relationships at the core, team resilience fosters an environment where members feel safe to voice concerns and problems, and rely on each other for guidance and encouragement.
Effective collaboration and open communication are essential to resilient teams, allowing everyone to adjust strategies, share knowledge, and problem-solve in real-time. This adaptability ensures that as circumstances change, the team can respond proactively, finding new ways to leverage their strengths. It helps to lower stress, reduce burnout and minimise the risk of loneliness, all of which can exacerbate mental health struggles if overlooked.
The power of shared goals
There’s something profoundly unifying about striving together toward a shared objective. It’s a dynamic that can transform groups into true teams. The recent bikeathon exemplified this by bringing together individuals from every corner of the business, each contributing their energy toward a single, collective achievement.
The event underscored how shared challenges can naturally foster empathy and respect, something that’s crucial when talking about the topic of mental health. Fundraising events such as the bikeathon can help to build a culture of mutual support and shared purpose in businesses, reminding us that when we work toward a common goal, we’re stronger and more connected.
The ability to connect with the people we work with every day is vital to our success, personally and professionally. What’s more, it’s a skill that can offer additional benefits such as improved communication, better interactions with colleagues and a willingness to help others, whether it’s on a project, a tight deadline or a personal problem.
The bikeathon demonstrated that addressing mental health in the workplace doesn’t need to centre on formal initiatives. Sometimes, the most effective approach is creating opportunities for genuine connection through shared experiences and common goals. The event’s success in both raising funds for the Woodpecker Project and fostering a more supportive workplace culture has inspired the team to make these types of initiatives a regular part of our business calendar.
Artemis Marketing challenges other companies to consider how they might similarly combine team building, charitable giving, and raising awareness in ways that resonate with their unique culture. The momentum they’ve generated continues to propel them forward, creating a workplace where mental health conversations aren’t just accepted but actively encouraged.
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