Resources
The UN System Workplace Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy underpins and guides all of the work we are doing on this matter. In order to achieve our goals and improve the mental health and well-being of UN personnel, we have developed and earmarked a set of resources.
Strategy
- Strategy (Full) 2019-2023
What does the strategy include?
5 Strategic themes (as the foundation); 10 Strategic objectives across the four themes; 13 Priority actions to start in year one towards achieving these objectives; and 25 Outcome indicators. - Strategy Summary 2019-2023
The United Nations Mental Health and Well-Being Strategy is a comprehensive approach to address the needs the United Nations personnel and improve organizational capacities to prevent and protect mental health. It was endorsed by the heads of management of all UN system entities, and it applies to the whole of the UN system.
UN System Mental Health and Well-being Strategy for 2024 and beyond - Launch Toolkit
Resources for Implementing the 2024 Strategy
- The Strategy - an explainer
- 2024 Scorecard Guide - UN Mental Health Strategy
- Family Support mechanism across the UN - an introduction (2024 WMHD event recording)
- Psychosocial Risk initiatives and approaches across the UN - an introduction (2024 WMHD event recording)
- Q&A with Regan Shercliffe, Global Lead UN Mental Health Strategy: Improving mental health in the workplace from a UN system-wide perspective
- System-Wide Approach to Workplace Mental Health and Well-Being : Key Messages for Smaller Organizations
- System-Wide Approach to Workplace Mental Health and Well-Being : Key Messages for Larger Organizations
UN Mental Health Strategy: Explained
Safe and healthy working environments are essential to mental well-being. The UN System Mental Health and Well-being Strategy for 2024 and beyond is designed to assist the United Nations in creating a working environment that is conducive to good mental health and that ensures that support is available when it is needed. The Strategy offers effective tools to prevent mental health risks; protect and promote mental health at work; and support workers with mental health conditions.
Mental Health Literacy Programme
A Mental Health Literacy programme is now available to all UN organizations to help build personnel’s knowledge, understanding and skills to promote mental health and well-being in the workplace, and reduce the impact of mental health conditions.
Additional resources - for staff
- Staff Members' Checklist: Seven actions you can take for better mental health at work
- Stress management: IOM Stress Workbook
- Self-care presentation: IOM Self Care
- Internal UN Staff/Stress Counsellors: for UN personnel who may need help
- "Managing anxious or depressive thoughts": Self-assessment from the Canadian workplace mental health resources
Additional resources - for managers and HR professionals
- Managers' checklist_Promoting mental health and well-being at work
- Organizations' checklist_Ten actions for better mental health at work
- Benefits of a Mentally Healthy UN System
- Recognizing signs of mental health problems in staff
- Remote working and supporting staff mental health: Advice for Managers at the United Nations
- Supporting personnel experiencing distress: A guide for HR Professionals
Additional resources - United Nations System COVID-19 Staff Health and Well-being Surveys
Recorded events
UN System Workplace Mental Health and Well-being Strategy recorded events.
Factsheets
- Supporting others
Are you willing and prepared to help a colleague who is in need? Talking to somebody about their wellbeing, especially if they are having difficulties, can seem daunting. Maybe you already know how to have conversations like this. This factsheet focusses on recognising when someone may be developing a mental health condition and how to support that person.
- Living and working with mental health condition
Many people work with a mental health condition. The actions required will depend on the individual. The information in this PDF is designed to offer suggestions of things to consider.
- Self-care
Self-care refers to the actions that individuals take in order to develop, protect, maintain and improve their own health and wellbeing. This PDF shares some information to help you explore and balance your self-care.
Resources for the “Lead and Learn” programme II
- Act: 10-to-go, 10-minute guides
- Be inspired: Mental Health testimonial video
- Converse talking toolkit: 5-minute conversational guides
Resources for the “Lead and Learn” programme I
- Lead and Learn programme - Brochure
- Lead and Learn programme - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Sign up - the Lead and Learn Programme is available free of charge on the UNSSC Blue Line platform
Lead & Learn – Factsheets for Managers and Leaders
- Factsheet 1: Why is mental health and well-being important?
Arabic | Chinese | English | French | Russian | Spanish - Factsheet 2: How can you improve mental health and well-being?
Arabic | Chinese | English | French | Russian | Spanish - Factsheet 3: Thriving as manager and leader
Arabic | Chinese | English | French | Russian | Spanish
Lead & Learn – Podcasts for Managers and Leaders
- Podcast Episode 1: WHY it is important and HOW you can improve it (available in English, French, Arabic, Chinese, Spanish and Russian)
- Podcast Episode 2: What can help you thrive?
Resources from the 2023 UN System-wide Mental Health and Well-being Strategy Retreat
Interview Recordings
- Dialogues at the UN Workplace Mental Health & Well-Being Strategy Retreat:
- Therese Fitzpatrick, Global Lead, UN System Global Mental Health and Well-Being Strategy
- Margaret Carrington, Project Manager, UN System Global Mental Health and Well-being Strategy
- Miguel Mourato Gordo, Director, Global Strategy and Policy Division, Office of Human Resources, UN Secretariat
- Martha Helena Lopez, Assistant Secretary-General, Office of Human Resources, UN Secretariat
- Increasing the Positive Perception of Mental Health
- Key Insights from the Retreat (1/2)
- Key Insights from the Retreat (2/2)