World Mental Health Day 2025

We spoke to our Office Manager, Meena about what World Mental Health Day means to her, this is what she had to share with us!

My name is Meena Bibi, my role at Saathi House consists of three roles. My main role is Office Manager, where I ensure the smooth running of daily operations such as overseeing office procedures, ordering and maintaining office supplies and equipment handling, correspondence mail and shipping. My second role is Health and Safety officer where I work to prevent accidents, injuries and illness by ensuring a safe and compliant workplace. My third role is as a Mental Health First aider. This role involves recognising signs of mental ill health, offering comfort and reassurance and guiding people by being non-judgemental. I help to reduce stigma by fostering open conversations and creating a supportive environment

I have been working for Saathi House for the last 4.5 years, I started working here 5 hours a week during Covid as a cycling coordinator. 

Why I enjoy working at Saathi House and what I most enjoy is helping people such as when ladies come to me in need or when they come to me for help, support or generally to talk to me about their health and well-being. We at Saathi House are a big close connected family, where everyone looks out for one another and makes it a warm welcome place to work in and belong in. A place where you are cared for and loved by everyone, no matter where you are from.

What does World Mental Health Day mean to you?

It means breaking stigma to promote the understanding that mental health is part of everyone’s overall well-being, not just those that have a diagnosis. It’s a day I believe

should be a Bank holiday, where everyone should stay at home and be with loved ones and just relax and not worry about work, family or other roles. It should be a day for you as an individual, to do something you enjoy doing on that day, shut out everything else and have that day just for yourself, go for a facial, sauna, afternoon tea, a walk in the park or go and see that friend or relative you haven’t seen for a while, as this will help make you happy and them also.

Why do you think it’s important to talk about mental health?

To talk about mental health openly in the workplace is very important as it reduces stigma, it opens up conversations showing that it’s okay to talk and seek help. This helps to reduce shame and feeling alone, feeling no one cares or understands. It helps when in conversation you build trust, respect and feel safe knowing that there is a person there to listen and strengthen morale and teamwork at the same time. I am also creating a healthy safe working environment for the individuals on the team.