What is Thrive?

Typically, the festive season is a joyous occasion and a time for celebration, but it can equally be an extremely busy and demanding time that often puts extra pressure on us whether socially, financially or emotionally.  For some, it is a time where they acutely feel the loss of loved ones and feelings of loneliness. The festive period can affect your mental health in many ways and can bring up feelings of being overwhelmed, anxious, stressed. Our Thrive wellbeing team has compiled a list of tips to help you look after your mental health this Christmas. Realistic expectations It is easy to get carried away with the expectations of a perfect Christmas and everything that goes with it. However, this can cause disappointment and impact our self-esteem if it doesn’t turn out how we hoped. Be realistic about what you can expect from the festive season and avoid unhealthy comparisons with others. Create your own Christmas agenda for how you want to spend your time, focusing on a couple of things that are most important to you. Take a break The Christmas period can be the one time of year where we can truly take a break from the demands of day-to-day life. It is essential for our mental wellbeing to have some time-out to help prevent stress and feelings of being overwhelmed. Take this time to rest and restore your energy especially if you are feeling particularly drained. Make sure you set time aside to be by yourself if you need it and engage in activities that help you relax and unwind. Christmas is a time of compassion and giving, so why not indulge in some self-compassion and treat yourself. Reflect As the year draws to a close, you can quickly fall into the trap of thinking about everything you didn’t achieve and all those forgotten resolutions and goals. Try not to be too hard on yourself as you begin to reflect on the year that has passed. Accept the year for what it was and acknowledge the (big and small) things you have achieved and where you are now.   Say no Leading up to and during Christmas you can find yourself inundated with social engagements, invites, and being surrounded by people. If you are feeling uncomfortable or unsettled with the incoming invitations, the key is to give yourself permission to say no. You may want to limit your social interactions and while it is important to maintain some social connection it is imperative that you set clear boundaries with yourself on how much interaction you want to have. Balance your sense of social obligation against your need for self-care and time by yourself.   Healthy habits The temptation to overindulge is ever present at Christmas - the few extra tipples, lounging on the couch watching Christmas movies or over-doing it on the mince pies and rich food. Overindulging can cause your motivation levels to diminish and make you feel sluggish and not ‘yourself’. Alcohol may make you feel relaxed at first, but it is a depressant which can cause low mood and irritability. Strive to maintain some balance across the festive period if you can. Maintaining a relatively healthy diet and getting some exercise will give your mental health a much-needed boost. Get outdoors, wonder at the Christmas lights and decorations in your area or head out on a nature walk, it will do you a world of good. It can be quite difficult to maintain your usual routine over the holidays too. The best way to retain some semblance of routine and structure is keeping a healthy sleep pattern. Sleep is an essential component to not only positive mental health but also our physical health. Talk to someone The expectations of the festive season can take its toll and the pressure to have a good time can be overwhelming. How we feel can become all-consuming. If you are struggling it is important to talk to someone about how you are feeling. Your family and friends are your best support system, reach out to someone you feel comfortable disclosing your feelings to. If Christmas is a hard time for you, it's important to remember that you are not alone. Help is here if you need it. The Institute’s wellbeing hub, Thrive, provides an array of mental health supports to members and students. Whether you need a listening ear, wellbeing advice or professional counselling, we are here for you. You can contact the team by email at: thrive@charteredaccountants.ie or by phone: (+353) 86 0243294 Merry Christmas!

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