Mental health a constant focus at Fenix: “We have a responsibility”

Fenix Media Group is hosting Media Mind Week during week 46, for the fourth consecutive time. With an increased focus on mental health and workplace well-being, the initiative was introduced during a visit to Fountain House in Stockholm, where the team shared more about the concept.

Research shows that mental health issues are still on the rise among both young people and adults. In the workplace, mental health issues are now the most common reason for sick leave; however, preventative efforts around this topic are often lacking. With this in mind, Fenix Media Group, formerly known as Future Media Group, initiated measures in the spring of 2021 to both reduce mental health issues and raise awareness around them. This resulted in Media Mind Week, an annual period dedicated to the topic. On Wednesday, the week before this year’s Media Mind Week, Fenix was invited to host a panel discussion at Fountain House in Stockholm – a foundation that has been advocating for mental health since 1980.

– We have a responsibility to the people who have chosen to work with us and dedicate their time here, said Linus Wennerström, CEO of Fenix, during the talk.

– If someone, due to various factors, ends up in a situation where they’re struggling, it’s important that we do what we can to support our employees. It might mean helping them return to work in a way that suits them – either in their previous role or through adjusted tasks or hours. Making it work is undoubtedly the most important thing.

Media Mind Week quickly became more than just an annual event, with Linus sharing that it has inspired management to incorporate these values into both the company’s core values and onboarding process for new employees.

– Openness is one of our four core values, and we often discuss the importance of sharing how you feel and being welcomed to be vulnerable. As employers, we need to lead authentically. We highlight this from day one when new colleagues join us because it’s absolutely fundamental to having a long-term relationship with us. It’s crucial that it’s evident right away that this is something we truly prioritize as a company.

– We have especially noticed that by encouraging employees to be open, we can address problems early on and discuss suitable actions. It benefits everyone involved.

Besides Linus Wennerström, Victor Christophe also participated in the panel. Victor has been with the company since 2019, and he shared how he hit a wall at the end of 2020 and went on indefinite sick leave. He described how Fenix’s support was instrumental in getting him back on track and eventually fully recovered.

– I’ve always been open about how I feel, which hasn’t always been well-received at previous workplaces. But when I told my manager at Fenix that I wasn’t feeling well, management took it very seriously and did everything they could to make it as positive as possible. Living with GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder), I worried a lot about ‘letting the company down.’ When I started working at 20% and suggested moving up to 75% right away, my manager firmly said no. At the time, I thought it was strange, but now I realize that taking things slow was the best approach, and I’m incredibly grateful they stood by that.

– For me, Media Mind Week is extremely important, and it’s an honor to be part of it each year. I also appreciate that, while this event occurs once a year, it doesn’t mean that mental health is irrelevant to us the other 51 weeks. We emphasize it now, but it’s an ongoing and welcome topic throughout the year, which I really value.

The media industry, and sales in general, involve high-paced environments, tight deadlines, and a strong focus on performance. This makes it challenging to balance extracting the best from each employee while caring for their mental health. However, Linus Wennerström is confident in his approach:

– I firmly believe everyone needs to feel seen and safe at work, to feel like more than just a number if they’re going to stay and genuinely enjoy their work long-term. If we want a sustainable organization that grows over time, prioritizing mental health is essential. Tough times in life and at work are inevitable and affect everyone, but we want to be there as a source of support for all involved. By normalizing this and creating a safe space, it becomes easier to speak up when times are tough.

Victor Christophe concluded the panel discussion in agreement:

– Linus is absolutely right. As someone relatively young in the workforce, it’s rare to stay at the same workplace for over five years, but the attentiveness I and all employees receive is invaluable. I feel that many companies could take a page from Fenix’s book on this, and it clearly benefits Fenix as this is a significant reason why I feel so at home here.