This is Me Asia

Ensuring employee wellbeing is one of the four pillars of Community Business' work, and since 2017 we have been pioneering the discussion in Asia on mental health – facilitated by the launch of indepth research: Embracing Mental Health in the Workplace in Asia. Since 2019, Community Business has been partnering with the Lord Mayor's Appeal in the UK to promote the This is Me storytelling campaign in India.  To date, 23 companies in India have registered their interest in the programme. 
 

This is Me centres on the sharing of stories and lived experiences of disability and mental health as a way to challenge the stigma and open up conversations about these sensitive subjects in the workplace. An initiative first pioneered by Barclays in the UK in 2014 and now led by The Lord Mayor's Appeal in London.  
 

With increased readiness to proactively address mental health in the workplace in Asia – particularly in the wake of COVID-19, Community Business is working in partnership with Lord Mayor’s Appeal and with the Strategic Sponsorship of Bloomberg to build momentum in the region and extend the promotion of the This is Me storytelling programme to other markets in Asia.

Research shows that storytelling is one of the most powerful ways to bring about cultural and behavioural change. Attitudes, knowledge and behaviour towards people with disabilities, including those with mental health problems are more likely to improve if people are given the opportunity to learn from someone who has a personal experience to share. At the same time, seeing other people share their stories, gives people encouragement to tell their own, empowering employees to be more honest with each other and fostering a more open and supportive culture that benefits all.

We are excited to be leading this campaign in collaboration with Bloomberg as the Founding Partner of the This is Me Asia Steering Group.  

Why a Steering Group? 

The key role of this group is to engage key local stakeholders, including mental health organisations and experts across the region, to raise awareness of and drive broader participation by the business sector in the This is Me Asia storytelling programme.  

Who Makes Up the Steering Group?  

The Steering Group will consist of 12-15 representatives from the corporate and NGO sector selected based on their individual skills, knowledge and experience they bring to the group.