Human connection is at the heart of Starbucks and is fundamental to protecting our mental health. This year Mental Health Awareness Week occurred between 15 and 21 May, and the theme for this year was anxiety.

Anxiety is a natural human feeling, but it can spiral out of control and become a mental health issue in some cases. Starbucks Wellbeing Blend network, which is the Partner Network focusing on supporting everyone’s wellbeing,  hosted a range of activities highlighting some of the things that can assist prevent anxiety from becoming a more serious condition.

Having a sense of belonging and deep human connections are important to everyone’s mental health,  join us in meeting a few of our EMEA partners who share their thoughts on personal wellbeing.

Diego Pol

What does Mental health and wellbeing mean to you?

“I believe wellbeing is a more generic term and involves all aspects of life – it’s important to acknowledge that we are all connected to each other. Mental health is very much related to how you feel, to what you have in your life, and how you act towards these feelings.”

Tips for partners. If you could offer one tip that’s helped you on your wellbeing journey, what would it be?

“I understand how important it is to communicate your thoughts/feelings with people and seek assistance. However, what helps me is to first spend some time with myself and take a step back to feel and comprehend what’s going on, then once I’ve grasped the environment and potential causes, I try to seek advice, support, and comfort.”

For mental health allies specifically. Why do you think it is important to have wellbeing champions and mental health allies in an organisation?

“My father was a psychiatrist, so mental health is something that has been a common topic in my family. By creating a space to talk about mental health, we make partners feel they can safely speak up, and as a company, we should also acknowledge that mental health is an essential part of our humanity, as well as nurture the limitless possibilities to ensure that every partner, every community, feels supported and knows how and where to seek help for themselves and others.”

Kirsty, Store Manager

A bit about your role in the business and how long you’ve been a partner:

“My name is Kirsty and I'm the store manager in St. Andrews, Scotland. I'm a 15-year partner and a mental health ally.”

What drove you to get involved with the Wellbeing network / to become a Mental Health Ally (for retail partners)?

“Being aware of our own mental health and wellbeing and of others around us is important as ill mental health could have a big impact on everyday life.  The main reason I wanted to be a mental health ally more than anything was to help me understand the reasons behind ill mental health and how I can help others. The training we have received has been incredible and with the support of other allies we are building a great community.” 

Why do you think it is important to have wellbeing champions and mental health allies at work?

“The realisation of how important having allies in the workplace came to me when I lost a friend because of ill mental health. Having a support network inside of work somewhere you feel safe is crucial for our partners.” 

Angela, Shift Supervisor

What is your current role at Starbucks, how long have you been a partner and what is your role with the network?

“I have worked for Starbucks for one and a half years; I am a supervisor and mental health ally.”

What drove you to get involved with the Wellbeing network / to become a Mental Health Ally (for retail partners)?

“Prior to becoming a mental health ally, I completed various courses, including mental health first aid! When I saw the position of mental health ally, I just knew it was for me as it’s important to me!”

Why do you think it is important to have wellbeing champions and mental health allies in work?

“I think it’s important as many people don’t have any forms of support at home or outside of work, so if we can offer any sort of support, it makes a massive  difference in people’s lives!”