Rebalance
“Employee mental health and wellbeing must be a strategic priority for businesses if they want to be sustainable and prosperous.”
Michelle Mah, Founder of Rebalance
Can you share the story of how you began your journey in mental wellbeing?
Michelle started her journey in 2016 when she realized the burnout and panic attacks she was facing were not normal. This situation escalated into bulimia and body dysmorphia, leading her to leave her demanding regional comms role in 2018 to prioritize healing and regaining her health. At that time, mental health was highly stigmatized and shunned, making it a relatively isolating journey for her.
She then started Rebalance to spark conversations and help stressed, burnt-out, and disengaged organizations and individuals enhance their levels of wellbeing to improve engagement, clarity, and performance. It has been a wild ride for her so far!
Can you describe your unique approach to mental health and wellness, and what your work typically involves?
Michelle’s work typically involves consulting with organizations to integrate evidence-based methodologies and practices from the fields of mental health, mindfulness, organizational development, and change management, to enhance workplace wellbeing, resilience, and culture.
Can you explain how your work fits into the social aspect of ESG?
Michelle believes the “S” in ESG is often the neglected child. Mental wellbeing must be placed at the forefront of business strategy. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), “there can be no health or sustainable development without mental health.” Mental wellbeing should no longer be viewed as a “good to have” but a core business strategy that not only results in happier, healthier employees but also sustains the business in the long run. It is also essential to envision and take key actions to realize the future of thriving workplaces that are healthy and prosperous in all aspects.
Can you highlight a specific project or initiative that showcases your commitment to mental health?
Michelle regularly volunteers pro-bono in different mental health groups and runs talks and workshops to drive awareness and advocacy in this sector. At the peak of COVID in 2021, she ran a series of mental health initiatives for the whole Public Sector Division to combat burnout, heightened stress levels, and loneliness, with numbers averaging 300-500 for each session. During that time, the decline of people’s mental health was very real, and she felt that immensely. Fast forward to a few years later, the space now has more attention and less stigma.
Why is sustainability important to you personally, especially in the context of mental wellbeing?
Michelle believes that a safe workplace is a sustainable workplace. When considering workplace safety, which often focuses on physical safety, the necessary “safety” of the workplace must also include mental or psychological safety—the belief, according to Amy Edmondson, that one will not be punished or humiliated for speaking up with ideas, questions, concerns, or mistakes. When mental safety is present, research has shown that levels of physical safety improve as well.
Businesses that prioritize mental wellbeing, with the right initiatives and policies in place, also increase their attractiveness to partners and investors while lowering overall costs. Managing this holistically without it seeming like a “tick box initiative” can be a win-win for all.
Do you have any final insights or comments on the importance of sustainability in mental health and wellness?
Michelle suggests that if you have no idea where to get started or what to do, it’s always a good idea to have coffee (or tea) and discuss!