Schneider Electric Senior Vice President Talent & Diversity, Tina Mylon, is a great role model when it comes to the importance of well-being.
Tina is a Global HR Executive with broad experience in talent strategy and management, leadership development, talent acquisition, diversity and inclusion, organizational effectiveness, and change management.
"At Schneider Electric, we are deeply committed to fostering an inclusive culture. This means everyone should feel safe to be their unique self, even in those difficult moments when we are distressed, anxious or struggling to cope," explained Tina.
"We all have mental health – sometimes it’s in a strong state, other times not so much. As with our physical health, therefore, we all bear a collective responsibility to check in on our mental well-being and take appropriate action when needed. Simply put: care for self and care for others."
For World Mental Health Day, Schneider Electric recognized that mental health matters, every day, everywhere for everyone. Tina shared what this means for herself, and for the wider Schneider Electric community, plus hear from other employees about how they protect their mental wellbeing.
The importance of social connection
When Tina's team first proposed Social Connection as the theme for World Mental Health Day, Tina's reaction was mixed. "I was concerned it might be too ‘light’ a topic, especially in the context of rising cases of mental health challenges like depression and burn out globally. Plus, I’m an introvert so the idea of socializing with others or attending an event would not be my first impulse when I am in need of a mental health boost," said Tina.
But as Tina read the data and spoke with colleagues, she realized the importance of human connection to people's sense of well-being. "From the research, we know social connection is the single biggest driver of our happiness and one of the biggest drivers of our engagement and productivity at work," said Tina.
"I can recognize this dynamic myself. Each time I connect with someone, it is a moment of distinctive human exchange, generating a unique type of energy and stimulation. And, owing to the pandemic, it has been particularly hard in recent years to experience these kinds of face-to-face connections."
Connecting with people, connecting with nature
Tina cited an example when she spent a week with colleagues in Grenoble, France. Tina and her colleagues hadn’t come together in for some time and felt pressure to jam their agenda with topic after topic.
"At one point, someone suggested we pivot and make room for a short outdoor hike. That hike proved to be one of the most valuable activities for our team, especially when it came to exchanging ideas, strengthening trust and cultivating a greater sense of well-being," commented Tina.
"By promoting a better understanding of mental health within a safe environment, while designing programs and implementing policies to facilitate our employees’ unique ways of working and living, we believe that Schneider is achieving a positive, lasting impact. Whether it’s our global policy for family leave, a training program on well-being, or even just a casual hike in a beautiful setting – it’s critical that we continue to recognize the importance of mental health and support one another in caring for it."
Methods to better mental health
For World Mental Health Day, Schneider Electric also shared how other employees protect their mental health.
"For me, when I am thinking about mental health, it is very important to set the right boundaries between work and personal life, to reflect about the experiences and to connect with the world outside the walls (going in short vacations or out with friends)," said one employee.
Schneider Electric Talent Acquisition Specialist, Alexandra Lupu, added: "Reading and meditating are two activities that help me to maintain my inner equilibrium and boost my creativity."
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