2023’s World Kindness Day lands on 13 November and this year feels more important than ever.

The Random Act of Kindness Foundation asks us all to think about the small things we can do to appreciate others, giving them an emotional lift through kindness.

This act might be something as simple as texting a family member you haven’t touched base with in a while or buying a coffee for a friend – or even a stranger.

In an increasingly stressful world, these small moments have the power to relieve negativity and improve our emotional wellbeing.

World Kindness Day is an invitation to make kindness the norm. Remember, though, that like charity, sometimes kindness begins at home, so be sure to look after yourself too.

Around 1 in 5 UK adults are defined as “struggling” with their mental health

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England recently found that almost half (47%) of UK adults are either in emotional distress (21%) or report an absence of positive wellbeing (26%).

Mental health can be a particular struggle among young people – especially young women and members of the LGBT+ community – but other factors play a part too.

The Centre for Mental Health recently highlighted the magnitude of the problem when it confirmed that:

• Children from the poorest families are four times more likely to have a mental health problem by age 11 than those from the wealthiest families
• Black people in the UK are four times more likely to be sectioned under the Mental Health Act than white people
• People in the UK with severe mental illness have, on average, a 20-year shorter life expectancy.

In recent years, campaigners have looked to help young men break the taboo and talk more openly about their mental health struggles. But there is still much work to be done.

The first step to helping yourself or a loved one is to know the signs to look out for. They can be varied, but often include: 

• A loss of motivation or interest
• Feelings of guilt, anxiety or irritability
• Low self-esteem and intolerance of other people.

If you notice any of these signs, there are three simple steps you can take:

• Listen to your friend or loved one
• Talk to them about what’s going on 
• Take positive action together.

Workplace anxiety is a huge problem UK-wide so be kind to your colleagues

According to MHFA, poor mental health accounts for around 51% of long-term sick leave. Work-related stress costs the UK economy around £28 billion a year.

Not only that, but UK workers believe that the problem is getting worse, with 55% reporting that their job is becoming more intense and demanding.

A recent Champion Health survey found that younger employees are more likely to experience mental issues and anxiety compared to older colleagues.

While 60% of employees surveyed were experiencing anxiety, this figure rose to 67% among employees aged 16 to 24 and around 65% for females of all ages. These figures are significantly higher than Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures from 2020 which suggested that 31% of young women reported depression or anxiety.

Around 1 in 7 young men aged between 16 and 24 experience depression or anxiety each year.

At Future Planning, we take our responsibility to our workforce very seriously. Both Sanjay and Ana have undergone mental health first aid training and we have three young male colleagues (aged between 17 and 23) whose wellbeing is a huge part of the regular teambuilding exercises we undertake.

We also offer a paid “duvet day” to help our colleagues manage and look after their mental health.

The rise of social media and the emergence of technology (including AI) has particularly affected those born into this tech age. As conversations and lives become increasingly enacted online, technology provides incredible opportunities, even as it threatens to turn us away from each other and the real world. 

World Kindness Day is a great chance to turn that tide.

Check in with a colleague, friend, loved one or family member this month as we all strive to make kindness the norm.

Get in touch

Money worries can be a huge contributing factor to our emotional and mental wellbeing. Communication is key and talking about our concerns, whether to loved ones or professionals can make a huge difference, providing solutions and reassurance.

If you’d like to discuss anything raised in this article or any aspect of your long-term financial plans, get in touch. Please email enquiries@futureplanningwm.co.uk or call 01793 575553.

We all feel anxious now and then, but if your anxiety is stopping you from doing the things you want to do, consider contacting your GP or visiting Anxiety UK for details on available helplines and services.