Banyan Tree Group, a multi-branded hospitality group, has launched three mental health initiatives to address the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
The initiatives advocate for more corporate leaders to invest in mental health and align to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) call to action to address the historically neglected area of mental well-being. With the ongoing pandemic and its uncertainty, mental health conditions are rising. WHO data shows that 25% of the global population is affected by a mental disorder, and there has been an alarming spike in symptoms of anxiety and depression due to the cumulative stress of the pandemic's effect on lives and livelihoods.
"As the first step toward a journey of recovery and building resilience, we have prioritized mental well-being and the skills of effective self-care. While this was an initiative we conceived of pre-Covid, the pandemic has only elevated its importance. Anxiety levels are at an all-time high globally. We are in an industry that continues to be severely affected. As leaders, it's our job to help alleviate that for our teams at this time. Simply, we can only look after our guests when we look after our associates," says Ho Renyung, vice president of brand HQ, Banyan Tree Holdings.
Banyan Tree's Well-Being Initiatives
The group is revamping its groupwide training modules to express its service culture of "I am with you." The modules build on an experiential learning and facilitative approach, led by the Banyan Tree Management Academy and Wellbeing teams. This is an internal learning revolution that promotes resilience, self-awareness and self-care.
Project T has been introduced. This tele-therapy service, which partners with likeminded externally certified well-being practitioners, is strictly confidential. Users benefit from complimentary professional sessions to learn stress management techniques that they can apply at work and in their personal life. It's available in English, Chinese and Thai languages.
Finally, Banyan Tree will roll out of the Organizational Wellbeing Index, a set of 64 questions on lifestyle practices that's based on Banyan Tree's eight pillars of well-being:
- sleep
- dietary awareness
- interaction, intimacy and involvement
- physical vitality
- cultivating the mind
- learning and development
- harmony with nature
- sustained practices.
While much of the wellness industry turns to new technologies, trends and products, Banyan Tree Group is focused on helping people live well through the conscious practice of these simple basics. This, underpinned by helpful technology, is what makes the personal journey of well-being truly sustainable.
