Louisa Daley speaks to Helen Moon , chief executive at EventWell , about how the mental health landscape has changed over the past 18 months and how its Quiet Rooms aim to support eventprofs

here ’ s no doubt that mental health and wellbeing are high on the industry ’ s agenda , arguably because the pandemic has allowed us to reflect on what ’ s important and take time for ourselves and our loved ones . However , mental health and wellbeing should not be treated merely as a ‘ hot topic ’, it should instead be something our industry continuously strives to put first .

To learn how to create tangible , positive change around mental health and wellbeing , we speak to Helen Moon , chief executive at EventWell .

Who are EventWell ?

“ EventWell is a charitable social

enterprise ,” explains Moon . “ This means that 50 % of what we do is commercial , and the other 50 % of what we do is charitable ,” she adds .

For example , EventWell has commercial projects including Workplace Wellbeing Programmes , as well as its Quiet Rooms – but more on that later . “ These commercial elements are really important for funding our charitable outreach and support work ,” stresses Moon , which involves charitable projects and campaigns such as EventWell Wellbeing Day

“ There ’ s going to be different mental health and wellbeing needs emerging at events , where delegates are going to want to do things in different ways .”

Helen Moon , chief executive at

EventWell

and Week , and its Pledge Peer Support Programme .

“ Overall , our mission is to be the mental health and wellbeing voice for the events industry ,” she adds . Why the voice ?, I ask . “ We call ourselves the voice because we give a voice to the people behind the event professional personas who feel unheard ,” says Moon . “ We are here to make tangible change to the event ’ s industry ’ s relationship with wellbeing .”

The pandemic ’ s role

So , what ’ s our industry ’ s relationship with wellbeing and mental health like today ? “ It ’ s clear everyone has had to deal with some kind of trauma , issue , or setback because of the pandemic . It ’ s what we call mass trauma ,” says Moon . Whether this trauma involved losing jobs , being furloughed , closing businesses or last-minute cancellations , “ everyone ’ s mental health and wellbeing has been significantly impacted ,” she states .