Caitlin Jackson Bernéus
Corporate Communications Manager
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Blog post
Global Child Forum
PUBLISHED: OCTOBER, 2022
October 10th marks World Mental Health Day, an international day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma. 2022’s campaign slogan is ‘Make mental health & well-being for all a global priority’, and at Global Child Forum we stand behind this message.
Founded in 2009 by the Swedish Royal Family, Global Child Forum is a leading forum for children’s rights and business dedicated to innovative thinking, knowledge-sharing and networking. We believe in the power and responsibility of business, working in partnership with all parts of society, to create a prosperous, sustainable and just society for the world’s children. Since 2013, Global Child Forum has been benchmarking companies in collaboration with Boston Consulting Group, assessing their implementations of the Children’s Rights and Business Principles (CRBPs). The data we collect can be used by corporates to help them assess their social impact, and by investors to inform their decision-making.
Global Child Forum’s benchmark report “The State of Children’s Rights and Business 2021” looked at 832 global companies considered to be the most influential in helping us reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The companies in the benchmark come from all sectors, represent all regions of the world and have been benchmarked on 27 indicators, each indicator clearly defined to provide an accurate overview of how companies are responding to, and reporting on, children’s rights. The benchmark offers a snapshot of how the world’s largest companies implement policies, processes and practices to systematize their approach to children’s rights.
When collecting the data about the way these large corporations protect and promote children’s rights, we were happy to find several companies making an effort to support children’s mental health. Below are a selection of the top companies working to improve global mental health, especially in children and youth:
1. BCE: Establishing a kids help line and charity walk to raise money and awareness
BCE is a Canadian communications company, delivering a wide range of service innovations to consumers, businesses and government customers across Canada including 4G LTE, 5G, and 5G+, Fibe Internet and TV, Wireless Home Internet, cloud and data hosting, IP voice and collaboration and Internet of Things.
2. MedTronic: Emergency fund that covers mental health and financial counseling to employees and their family members
Medtronic is an American medical technology company, which engages in the development, manufacture, distribution, and sale of device-based medical therapies and services
3. ICA Gruppen: Chat hotline in partnership with the Swedish Red Cross Youth
ICA Gruppen is a leading Swedish retail company with focus on food and health. The Group includes ICA Sweden and Rimi Baltic, which mainly conduct grocery retail, ICA Real Estate, which owns and manages properties, ICA Bank, which offers financial services, and Apotek Hjärtat, which conducts pharmacy business.
4. The Estée Lauder Companies: Raising awareness about mental illness and prevention through school outreach and supporting an online mental health support centre
The Estée Lauder Companies is an American company, and one of the world’s leading manufacturers and marketers of quality skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care products. The company’s products are sold in approximately 150 countries and territories under brand names including: Estée Lauder, Aramis, Clinique, Lab Series, Origins, M·A·C, La Mer, Bobbi Brown, Aveda, Jo Malone London, Bumble and bumble, Darphin Paris, TOM FORD BEAUTY, Smashbox, AERIN Beauty, Le Labo, Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle, GLAMGLOW, KILIAN PARIS, Too Faced, Dr.Jart+, and the DECIEM family of brands, including The Ordinary and NIOD.
5. Pacific Mutual Fund Holding Company (Pacific Life): Supporting a children’s hospital and mental health wing
An American company, Pacific Life has helped millions of individuals and families with their financial needs through a wide range of life insurance products, annuities, and mutual funds, and offers a variety of investment products and services to individuals, businesses, and pension plans. Pacific Life offers innovative products and services that provide value and financial security for current and future generations
Corporate Communications Manager
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