What is Thrive?

Every year on December 3rd, the world marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a day to celebrate the achievements of people with disabilities, raise awareness, and promote inclusion across all areas of society. In 2025, the theme continues to emphasise the importance of accessibility, equity, and dignity, especially in the workplace. However, for people with disabilities, the workplace can often be a space of exclusion or missed opportunity. That’s why disability inclusion in the workplace isn’t just a matter of compliance, it’s a matter of wellbeing, rights, and organisational success. Globally, over a billion people live with some form of disability, that’s about 15% of the world’s population. In Ireland, 1,109,557 people reported having a disability in Census 2022, representing 22% of the population.  Yet, people with disabilities are twice as likely to be unemployed compared to those without disabilities. Even when employed, they often face barriers such as inaccessible environments, lack of accommodations, unconscious bias, and limited career progression. These barriers don’t just affect the individuals themselves, they impact teams, culture, and the bottom line. Why Inclusion Matters for Wellbeing Workplace inclusion directly influences wellbeing. For employees with disabilities, feeling seen, heard, and valued can significantly improve mental health, job satisfaction, and overall quality of life. Here’s why it matters: Psychological Safety Inclusive workplaces foster environments where people feel safe to express themselves without fear of judgment or retaliation. For disabled employees, this means being able to disclose their disability, request accommodations, and contribute authentically. Sense of Belonging Belonging is a core human need. When disabled employees are included in decision-making, leadership, and social activities, it reinforces their sense of worth and connection. Reduced Stress and Burnout Constantly navigating inaccessible systems or hiding one’s disability can be exhausting. Inclusive policies and practices reduce this burden, allowing employees to focus on their work and wellbeing. Empowerment and Growth Inclusion isn’t just about access, it’s about opportunity. When disabled employees are given equal chances to grow, lead, and innovate, it boosts confidence and career satisfaction. Practical Steps Creating a truly inclusive workplace requires intentional action. Here are some key strategies: Accessible Recruitment - Ensure job postings are accessible and inclusive. Use plain language, offer alternative formats, and make application platforms compatible with assistive technologies. Reasonable Accommodations - Accommodations aren’t special treatment, they are tools that enable equal participation. This could include flexible hours, assistive tech, quiet workspaces, or remote options. Inclusive Culture - Foster a culture where disability is not just accepted but celebrated. Encourage open conversations, provide disability awareness training, and challenge language or assumptions. Representation Matters - Include people with disabilities in leadership roles, committees, and decision-making processes. Visibility helps break down stigma and inspires others. Review Policies and Practices - Review and develop policies to ensure they support inclusion. This includes everything from onboarding to performance reviews to emergency procedures. Allies  You don’t need to have a disability to support inclusion. Allies play a crucial role in creating safe, respectful, and empowering workplaces. Listen and Learn - Engage with disabled colleagues, and educate yourself on disability rights and etiquette. Speak Up - Challenge exclusionary practices or language. Use your voice to advocate for accessibility and fairness. Support Accommodations - Normalise the use of accommodations and support colleagues in accessing what they need.  Institute Supports Strategy27 emphasises the importance of trusted business leadership, and delivering for all members. This encompasses the need for a sense of belonging, mobility and diversity and ongoing learning.  The purpose of special network groups is to achieve this in the context of specific member and student profiles and representation needs. They focus on bringing greater awareness and promotion of inclusion across Institute staff, members, students, and member businesses and encouraging senior members to be visible and engaged role-models. The Institute has its own D&I committee, made up of volunteers with the objective of raising awareness of D&I topics, promoting inclusion, educating and supporting members and students and ensuring that the profession is accessible to all. Find out more about the committee here.  If you are struggling with your mental or emotional wellbeing, Thrive can help you on your journey to better health. For wellbeing advice, contact the team by email at: thrive@charteredaccountants.ie or by phone: (+353) 86 0243294.

Each year, November is a significance moment for men’s health and wellbeing. Movember, known best for encouraging men to grow moustaches to raise money and awareness for health issues, has become a cultural phenomenon. And International Men’s Day on November 19th provides another vital opportunity to highlight the challenges faced by men across the globe. In Ireland, where conversations around mental health have advanced significantly in the last decade, November offers a powerful moment to reflect, advocate, and take action for men’s wellbeing. The Mental Health Landscape Ireland has taken major strides in addressing mental health openly, yet men still face unique obstacles. Research consistently shows that men are statistically less likely than women to seek mental health support, despite facing high levels of mental health risks. Suicide rates among Irish men remain significantly higher than those among women, with young men particularly vulnerable. In many rural communities, challenges are intensified. Isolation, economic uncertainty, and limited access to services can all contribute to mental distress. For others, financial pressure, housing insecurity, and workplace stress often play major roles. Across all demographics, stigma is still a hurdle. Many men grow up internalising the message that expressing emotional vulnerability is a weakness. Movember and International Men’s Day challenge that narrative with a louder and more hopeful message- asking for help is a sign of strength, and mental health deserves just as much care as physical wellbeing. Proactive Steps Ireland has changed dramatically in its openness to mental health, but change must continue. One of the greatest barriers men face is silence. Many Irish men still feel they must cope alone, whether because they fear burdening others, don’t want to appear weak, or don’t recognise their own struggles as legitimate.  Asking a friend, colleague, or brother how he is doing can be the difference between coping and crisis. Encouraging emotional expression in boys is just as important. Schools across Ireland have begun teaching emotional resilience, empathy, and communication skills. Supporting boys to express their feelings without judgement sets a foundation for mentally healthier men in the future. This November, each of us can play a part in creating a healthier future for both ourselves and the men of Ireland: Check in with the men in your life. Encourage emotional honesty in conversations with boys and young men. Know the signs - Learn to recognise symptoms of stress, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Stay active - Exercise and outdoor time boost mental wellbeing. Limit alcohol – Alcohol is a depressant and can disrupts the balance of chemicals in your brain, such as serotonin and dopamine. Visit your GP - Schedule a medical, arrange a blood test and engage in screening services and programmes Reach out for support - whether it’s a GP, counsellor or trusted friend or family Challenge harmful stereotypes that suggest men must “tough it out”. Importance of Initiatives While Movember may be best known for sprouting a moustaches, the movement’s impact extends far beyond the hairy exterior. Movember has grown into one of the world’s largest men’s health campaigns, supporting programmes in mental health, suicide prevention, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer. International Men’s Day also helps widening the conversation. It focuses not only on health but also on men’s social roles, identity, and emotional lives. The theme often emphasises creating positive role models, improving gender relations, celebrating contributions men make to families and communities, and addressing the challenges they face. It encourages reflection on how society raises, supports, and understands men. This culture shift is crucial. When everyday conversations include mental wellbeing as openly as sport, weather, or work, men who are struggling become more likely to speak up and seek help. If you are struggling with your mental or emotional wellbeing, Thrive can help you on your journey to better health. For wellbeing advice, contact the team by email at: thrive@charteredaccountants.ie or by phone: (+353) 86 0243294. Movember Webinar: From Self-Care to Peak Performance: A Conversation That Matters In support of Movember, join the ACA professional for an inspiring conversation on mental health and its impact on careers, relationships, and success. This webinar explores practical strategies for maintaining wellbeing and achieving peak performance, featuring insights from world-class performers, leaders, and athletes. Book your spot here: From Self-Care to Peak Performance: A Conversation That Matters - ..rteredaccountants.ie

With colder, darker days setting in, people may notice they experience a dip in mood, feel more irritable, fatigued and less motivated. The reason for this may be Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or the less-severe form, the winter blues. SAD symptoms are very similar to depression but has a seasonal pattern. The HSE estimates approximately 7% of the population experiences SAD. Here, we share some timely information and advice on how to combat the winter slump.  What causes this? Nobody really truly knows what causes the winter blues or SAD, but some experts believe SAD is caused by fewer hours of sunlight during the winter months that deplete your body’s levels of serotonin – often called the ‘feel-good’ chemical. Low light levels are thought to affect the production of melatonin, which can disrupt the body’s internal clock (or circadian rhythm).  If you’re diagnosed with SAD, your GP may recommend treatment with antidepressants called selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs), alongside talking therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy.  But if you have milder symptoms, we have some tips you can try to protect yourself against the winter slump: See the light Sunlight is known to activate a specific hormone called serotonin. This hormone is responsible for regulating and elevating your mood, helps with sleep and wakefulness and is linked to feeling good and living longer. Try getting outside into the sunlight as early and often as possible throughout the day.  Get help from tech If access to bright sunlight isn't possible, studies have shown light treatment/therapy is another effective way of reducing the symptoms of SAD. Many people with SAD or the winter blues respond well to light therapy, which involves sitting in front of a special light therapy lamp – or light box – at home. You may also find dawn simulators useful,  they use a gradual light to wake you up in the morning, simulating a summers morning. Always remember to check any light therapy devices to make sure that it has been made by a fully certified manufacturer and is designed for treating SAD. Additionally, you could try using aromatherapy and the use of essential oils to help boost your mood. As some studies suggest that it could potentially lessen any symptoms. Get active Physical activity is widely thought to be an effective way to boost your mood, and there’s a solid body of evidence that suggests exercise may help to alleviate depression. Exercising outdoors, especially when it’s sunny, may have an even stronger effect on SAD/winter blues symptoms. You don’t have to turn into a fitness fanatic. Just being more active in your day-to-day life can have a huge benefit on the way you feel, especially during the winter. Eat mood-boosting foods Many experts believe what you eat can make a huge difference to your mood, especially during the winter, particularly foods that contain the amino acid tryptophan, which converts into serotonin in the brain. Foods rich in tryptophan include bananas, turkey, chicken, fish, cheese, eggs, milk, nuts, avocados and pulses. Some also believe omega-3 fatty acids may enhance serotonin activity, so eat oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines and fresh tuna at least once a week (if you’re a vegetarian or vegan, try adding flaxseeds or chia seeds for an omega-3 boost). Stay warm Some SAD sufferers say their symptoms improve when they keep warm, so make sure your home and workplace are properly heated and wrap up well when you go outdoors.  If you’re worried about the financial cost of turning up the thermostat, get in touch to find out about CA Support's emergency financial assistance.   Keep in contact When feeling down, it’s natural to want to shut ourselves away from the world. It’s important to keep our social muscles active, as positive relationships bring both joy and perspective to our lives. Make sure you arrange regular catch-ups with your family and friends throughout winter.  How we can help The Thrive wellbeing hub provides free emotional supports to members, students and family members. We offer a confidential space for you to talk, whether you need a listening ear, wellbeing advice or professional counselling, we are here for you. You can contact the thrive wellbeing team by email at: thrive@charteredaccountants.ie or by phone: (+353) 86 0243294