
Our Trip to see Come From Away and the Surprising Parallels with the 2024 Theme: Workplace Mental Health

It’s no surprise that mental well-being at work is a huge topic these days. With stress, burnout, and pressure piling up in many jobs, it’s time to reflect on how we can make our workplaces better for everyone’s mental health. The World Federation of Mental Health provides us with the perfect opportunity to do this on World Mental Health Day and beyond. Celebrated on 10th October each year, the theme for 2024 is workplace mental health, with the aim of “highlighting the importance of addressing mental health and wellbeing in the workplace, for the benefit of people, organisations, and communities”
Now, whether by design or by coincidence, our MD Peter decided that instead of the monthly team lunch, it was time to do something a little different. So, on the eve of World Mental Health Day, the Plus Four team logged off en masse and headed out to see the musical Come From Away. Very conveniently, after being in the West End and then touring the country, the show had landed at the wonderful Wimbledon Theatre, which is (literally) just around the corner from our offices and viewing facility The Qualitative Lab.

What a perfect choice!
Now, I know that a Broadway show about a small town in Newfoundland helping stranded airplane passengers after 9/11 might seem far from the world of offices, deadlines and Zoom calls. But the story’s examples of the power of community, kindness, and support can teach us a lot about creating a healthy and compassionate workplace.
The Story Behind Come From Away and Why It Matters
Come From Away tells the true story of how, after the 9/11 attacks, 38 planes were diverted to Gander, a tiny town in Newfoundland, Canada. With nearly 7,000 stranded passengers, the townspeople quickly stepped up to provide food, shelter, and emotional support to these complete strangers. The story of how this small community responded to a crisis with empathy and generosity is heart-warming, but it’s also a great reminder of how support systems can make all the difference when things get tough.
As we sat in the theatre watching this unfold as a team of work colleagues, it struck us that although never the same level of crisis, just like how the people of Gander showed up for those stranded passengers, the people around us in the workplace can create an environment that makes handling pressure much easier.
What We Took Away from the Show
Some of the key themes from Come From Away really resonated with our team, and how we think they can help us continue to build a healthy workplace:

1. Community Is Everything
In the musical, the people of Gander didn’t have a plan—they just came together as a community to help. They shared their homes, food, and time to make sure everyone felt safe and supported.
At work, that sense of community can make all the difference. When colleagues feel connected to one another, stress is easier to handle. Just knowing that someone has your back, or that you’re not going through a tough project alone, can really lighten the load. Our takeaway? We’re going to continue to be intentional about creating that sense of community in our team. Whether it’s through regular check-ins, team-building activities, or simply grabbing coffee together, we know these little moments of connection matter.
2. Empathy Goes a Long Way
One of the most touching moments in the show was how the townspeople empathized with the stranded passengers. They listened, they cared, and they went out of their way to make sure people felt heard and supported.
In the workplace, empathy is just as crucial. When we take the time to really listen to each other, it makes a huge difference. Whether someone is struggling with a heavy workload or dealing with personal issues, having a leader or a colleague who shows empathy can make them feel valued and understood. After the show, we talked about how we show empathy at work—making space for honest conversations about how we’re feeling and being supportive when someone needs help.
3. Adaptability and Flexibility Help Everyone Cope
The people of Gander didn’t know how long they’d be hosting the passengers, and they had to adapt quickly to a completely unexpected situation. They didn’t have everything figured out, but they made it work through flexibility and creativity.
This lesson hit home for us because, let’s face it, work can be unpredictable. Deadlines change, unexpected projects pop up, and personal lives sometimes clash with work demands. But being flexible—both as individuals and as a team—can help us handle those moments better. For our team, that means continuing to be open to flexible working hours, remote work options, and taking mental health days when needed. It’s a reminder that sometimes you have to adapt to keep things running smoothly while protecting everyone’s well-being.
4. Mutual Respect and Tolerance for those with Different Faiths and Beliefs
Essential for harmony in communities and workplaces. There are some hard-hitting scenes of intolerance in the play, making this one of the key Came From Away messages, highlighted in the passionate curtain call speech, and the focus of the after show collection for charity SINCE 9/11 - a UK based educational charity which was set up on the tenth anniversary of September 11th 2001 to ensure that the legacy of 9/11 is one that builds hope from tragedy.
What’s Next for Our Team’s Well-Being?
Our trip to see Come From Away gave us a fresh perspective on mental health and reminded each of us that both in and outside of the workplace, creating a supportive and empathetic environment isn’t something that just happens—it’s something we all continue to work at together.
So, as part of our World Mental Health Day reflections, here are a few things we’re committing to as a team:
Open Conversations: Normalize talking about mental health. It’s okay to say you’re having a tough day or that you need help—no one should have to struggle in silence.
Flexible Working: Flexibility is a key part of how we operate, whether that’s through remote work options, flexible hours, or just being understanding when someone needs a break.
Prioritising Kindness: Be more intentional about spreading kindness at work, because those little moments can make a big difference in someone’s day.
Building Our Community: Keep building connections with each other, both in and out of work. Whether it’s team lunches, casual check-ins, or more fun outings like this theatre trip – staying connected is key.
·Access to Resources and help: Ensure that all staff know how and where they can access mental health resources - whether that’s online programmes, workshops, or simply pointing them in the direction of support services and charities like those listed below.
For more information on how to support mental health at work, a guide published by the World Federation of Mental Health can be downloaded here
So, as World Mental Health Day 2024, and Mental Health week 2004 come to their conclusion, let’s all take these lessons to heart and create workplaces where people feel supported—not just as employees, but as humans. After all, when people are mentally healthy and feel connected, everyone benefits, and by prioritising mental well-being in professional settings, we can ensure that everyone has the support they need to thrive, both inside and outside the office.
PS If you haven’t seen Come From Away yet, we highly recommend it. Not only is it a fantastic show, but it leaves you thinking about how you can bring a little more kindness and understanding into your own life—and your workplace!
List of UK Organisations for Mental Health Assistance
Anxiety UK www.anxietyuk.org.uk
Charity providing support if you have been diagnosed with an anxiety condition.
Telephone: 03444 775 774 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm)
Bipolar UK www.bipolaruk.org.uk
A charity helping people living with manic depression or bipolar disorder.
CALM www.thecalmzone.net
CALM is the Campaign Against Living Miserably
Telephone: 0800 58 58 58 (daily, 5pm to midnight)
Men’s Health Forum www.menshealthforum.org.uk/beatstress.uk
24/7 stress support for men by text, chat and email.
Mental Health Foundation www.mentalhealth.org.uk
Provides information and support for anyone with mental health problems or learning disabilities.
Promotes the views and needs of people with mental health problems.
Telephone: 0300 123 3393 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm)
OCD UK www.ocduk.org
A charity run by people with OCD, for people with OCD. Includes facts, news and treatments.
Telephone: 0333 212 7890 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
PAPYRUS www.papyrus-uk.org
Young suicide prevention society.
Telephone: HOPElineUK 0800 068 4141 (9am to midnight, every day of the year)
Rethink Mental Illness www.rethink.org
Support and advice for people living with mental illness.
Telephone: 0300 5000 927 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm)
Samaritans www.samaritans.org
Confidential support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair.
Telephone: 116 123 (free 24-hour helpline)
Emotional support, information and guidance for people affected by mental illness, their families and carers.
Textcare: comfort and care via text message, sent when the person needs it most: Peer support forum: www.sane.org.uk/supportforum
YoungMinds www.youngminds.org.uk
Information on child and adolescent mental health. Services for parents and professionals.
Telephone: Parents’ helpline 0808 802 5544 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm)
More information on Plus Four Market Research Limited and the research we undertake can be found at www,plus4.co.uk
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