Sascha Building Resilience Through Social Counseling

Sascha, the world around us and Evonik itself are changing rapidly. How is this affecting the focus of social counseling?

We receive many requests related to mental health challenges, team dynamics, and workplace conflicts. The changes taking place within the company, combined with the crises people face outside of work, are clearly reflected in the conversations we have every day.

This trend is also reflected in nationwide data: According to the DAK Mental Health Report, absences due to mental health conditions have increased by 45% over the past ten years. Today, mental health issues are the second most common cause of sick leave.

But what we see in our consultations is that solutions rarely lie with one person alone. Often, the team, the manager, or the broader work environment can play an important role in creating positive change.

That is why we want to place even greater emphasis on prevention in the future. Alongside individual counseling, we aim to support teams and leaders earlier, raise awareness, and help them build confidence in addressing challenges before they escalate. This applies to mental health, as well as helping people navigate change in the workplace and addressing topics such as addiction prevention.

Information, open dialogue, and shared learning can make a real difference. They help people recognize signs of strain early and equip them to navigate challenges proactively and with confidence.

This year alone, we have already delivered more than 20 workshops on a wide range of topics. Going forward, we look forward to expanding these offerings and introducing new formats that support our employees even more effectively.

Social counseling is a voluntary service offered to Evonik employees in Germany.  

What makes it so valuable for people across the company?

I believe it comes down to a unique combination of accessibility, confidentiality, and expertise.

Employees and their family members can reach out to us quickly and easily, free of charge and during working hours. We understand Evonik's structures, culture, and ways of working, and we are well connected with the many stakeholders across our sites. This enables us to respond quickly and appropriately to emerging issues.

At the same time, one thing never changes: our counseling remains independent, neutral, and strictly confidential.

How do you make developments and key focus areas within social counseling visible?

Many employees already know us. After all, we have been supporting people at the site for more than 40 years.

At the same time, we want to make our services even more visible and reach colleagues who may not yet be familiar with what we offer. That is why we are exploring new ways to connect, including the creation of a dedicated engage community.

We also want to engage with employees through site initiatives such as mental health awareness week and alcohol awareness week. These moments create opportunities for meaningful conversations and exchange.

Because while our data and statistics help us identify trends, it is the personal conversations with employees that truly show us what matters to people, what challenges they face, and how we can best support them.