With so many people struggling with their mental health, new research reveals the full potential for spas to harness their expertise to support customers, staff and the wider community
Spas can help meet the growing demand for mental health support / Andrey_Popov/shutterstock
Anew study by the Global Wellness Institute (GWI), Defining the Mental Wellness Economy, is the first to identify mental wellness as a fully-fledged market sector (see p90).
The study, which has identified a global expenditure of US$121bn in four key mental health markets, describes mental wellness as being more than simply an absence of mental illness, saying, “It’s an internal resource that helps us think, feel, connect and function; it’s an active process that helps us to build resilience, grow and flourish.”
The economic and social burden of mental ill health is predicted to reach US$1.6tn globally by 2030 according to the World Economic Forum, with this escalating mental health crisis being exacerbated by COVID-19.
The report puts numbers to what many in the spa industry have been emphasising for some time – that consumers are prioritising wellness and are desperate for strategies and products to improve their mental health.
We know we can help, as so many of the modalities we offer, from massage to multi-sensory experiences and exercise to sleep health, have been scientifically proven to benefit the mind. An in-depth 122-page white paper – Mental Wellness: Pathways, Evidence and Horizons – from the GWI’s Mental Wellness Initiative documents the most significant of these.
However, if we are to support governments and societies in tackling these issues, we need to re-evaluate our approach to mental wellness provision as an industry.
Careful consideration must be given to how spas position themselves. They can’t do the work of mental health professionals, but can partner with them to combine their expertise with what the industry does so well – create safe, healing spaces and deliver customer engagement, accessibility, calming environments and professional services.
Mental health first aider training is now widely available and a cost-effective starting point. Spa therapists can be trained to spot common symptoms and act to support both customers and co-workers.
If spas are to make a difference, they must also extend support as widely as possible – not just to those who can afford it. Forming relationships with charities and creating outreach programmes, in-person and online, are two ways in which we can widen our influence and be more useful.
Katie Barnes is the editor of Spa Business magazine
| [email protected]
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2020 issue 4
Editor's letter: Nurturing mental health
It’s time for spas re-evaluate their mental wellness approach to help governments and society to tackle the escalating mental health crisis says Katie Barnes
Spa people: Dr Narinthorn Surasinthon
RAKxa Jai, a cutting-edge medi-wellness spa, has opened in partnership with Bumrungrad International Hospital and Minor Hotels in Bangkok. Spa Business talks to its COO
Spa people: Isabelle Duchesneau
The executive director of Québec's Le Monastère Augustines explains why its priority of serving caretakers is more relevant today than ever
Spa people: Michael Banissy
The world's largest study on touch uncovers the role it plays in our health and wellbeing. Spa Business talks to the lead researcher
Interview: Krip Rojanastien
Chiva-Som’s CEO talks to Spa Business magazine about guiding the destination spa through COVID-19 and its first contract management project in Qatar
Ask an expert: Corridors of power
What will it take to make politicians realise the value of spas? Spa Business magazine asks those in government and others who’ve made inroads
Promotion: Artofcryo: Cold Calling
Artofcryo.com aims to offer the best whole-body cryotherapy chambers as well as a complete, reliable and effective solution for operators and results for guests
Promotion: ISPA: Lead, inform, inspire
Lead, Inform, Inspire. It’s been quite a year for ISPA, with its firm commitment to supporting members through the pandemic, as president, Lynne McNees explains
Interview: Mark Hennebry
Ensana’s chair tells Spa Business magazine about its landmark development, Buxton Crescent, one of the only genuine spa hotels in the UK
Promotion: Lemi: Creating the dream team
This year leading Italian supplier Lemi launched three new spa solutions, and ventured into the creation of signature treatments for the first time. General manager Matteo Brusaferri explains why he sees this as the way forward to help spas maximise their investment
Interview: Luisa Anderson
A Longevity Garden and inner healing room are just two of the extra special features at the new Healing Village Spa at Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay, Bali, says its regional spa director
Promotion: Biologique Recherche
Skincare specialist, Biologique Recherche, is using its knowledge of chronobiology to create new approaches to skincare which yield powerful results
Event review: Global Wellness Summit 2020
This year’s Global Wellness Summit saw two US surgeon generals, leading spa stakeholders and wellness professionals look towards the role they have to play following the global pandemic. Spa Business magazine gives its highlights
Research: Matter of minds
A new study is the first to define and put a value on the global mental wellness industry – estimating it to be worth US$121bn. But what does this mean for spas?
Sponsored briefing: Starpool: Cargo-tecture
During lockdown, Riccardo Turri, CEO of Starpool, was inspired to create a whole new category of product, based on recycled containers. The result is the new i.con spa brand, which fuses luxury, wellness, recycling and design
Software: All booked up
Spa software suppliers take a look at 'big data' to reveal the booking trends they’ve seen since spas have reopened
Promotion: Voya: supporting spa partners
Jessica Anhold, Voya’s head of global sales and marketing, talks community in a time of crisis and how the company is supporting its spa partners
With so many people struggling with their mental health, new research reveals the full potential for spas to harness their expertise to support customers, staff and the wider community
Spas can help meet the growing demand for mental health support / Andrey_Popov/shutterstock
Anew study by the Global Wellness Institute (GWI), Defining the Mental Wellness Economy, is the first to identify mental wellness as a fully-fledged market sector (see p90).
The study, which has identified a global expenditure of US$121bn in four key mental health markets, describes mental wellness as being more than simply an absence of mental illness, saying, “It’s an internal resource that helps us think, feel, connect and function; it’s an active process that helps us to build resilience, grow and flourish.”
The economic and social burden of mental ill health is predicted to reach US$1.6tn globally by 2030 according to the World Economic Forum, with this escalating mental health crisis being exacerbated by COVID-19.
The report puts numbers to what many in the spa industry have been emphasising for some time – that consumers are prioritising wellness and are desperate for strategies and products to improve their mental health.
We know we can help, as so many of the modalities we offer, from massage to multi-sensory experiences and exercise to sleep health, have been scientifically proven to benefit the mind. An in-depth 122-page white paper – Mental Wellness: Pathways, Evidence and Horizons – from the GWI’s Mental Wellness Initiative documents the most significant of these.
However, if we are to support governments and societies in tackling these issues, we need to re-evaluate our approach to mental wellness provision as an industry.
Careful consideration must be given to how spas position themselves. They can’t do the work of mental health professionals, but can partner with them to combine their expertise with what the industry does so well – create safe, healing spaces and deliver customer engagement, accessibility, calming environments and professional services.
Mental health first aider training is now widely available and a cost-effective starting point. Spa therapists can be trained to spot common symptoms and act to support both customers and co-workers.
If spas are to make a difference, they must also extend support as widely as possible – not just to those who can afford it. Forming relationships with charities and creating outreach programmes, in-person and online, are two ways in which we can widen our influence and be more useful.
Katie Barnes is the editor of Spa Business magazine
| [email protected]
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2020 issue 4
Editor's letter: Nurturing mental health
It’s time for spas re-evaluate their mental wellness approach to help governments and society to tackle the escalating mental health crisis says Katie Barnes
Spa people: Dr Narinthorn Surasinthon
RAKxa Jai, a cutting-edge medi-wellness spa, has opened in partnership with Bumrungrad International Hospital and Minor Hotels in Bangkok. Spa Business talks to its COO
Spa people: Isabelle Duchesneau
The executive director of Québec's Le Monastère Augustines explains why its priority of serving caretakers is more relevant today than ever
Spa people: Michael Banissy
The world's largest study on touch uncovers the role it plays in our health and wellbeing. Spa Business talks to the lead researcher
Interview: Krip Rojanastien
Chiva-Som’s CEO talks to Spa Business magazine about guiding the destination spa through COVID-19 and its first contract management project in Qatar
Ask an expert: Corridors of power
What will it take to make politicians realise the value of spas? Spa Business magazine asks those in government and others who’ve made inroads
Promotion: Artofcryo: Cold Calling
Artofcryo.com aims to offer the best whole-body cryotherapy chambers as well as a complete, reliable and effective solution for operators and results for guests
Promotion: ISPA: Lead, inform, inspire
Lead, Inform, Inspire. It’s been quite a year for ISPA, with its firm commitment to supporting members through the pandemic, as president, Lynne McNees explains
Interview: Mark Hennebry
Ensana’s chair tells Spa Business magazine about its landmark development, Buxton Crescent, one of the only genuine spa hotels in the UK
Promotion: Lemi: Creating the dream team
This year leading Italian supplier Lemi launched three new spa solutions, and ventured into the creation of signature treatments for the first time. General manager Matteo Brusaferri explains why he sees this as the way forward to help spas maximise their investment
Interview: Luisa Anderson
A Longevity Garden and inner healing room are just two of the extra special features at the new Healing Village Spa at Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay, Bali, says its regional spa director
Promotion: Biologique Recherche
Skincare specialist, Biologique Recherche, is using its knowledge of chronobiology to create new approaches to skincare which yield powerful results
Event review: Global Wellness Summit 2020
This year’s Global Wellness Summit saw two US surgeon generals, leading spa stakeholders and wellness professionals look towards the role they have to play following the global pandemic. Spa Business magazine gives its highlights
Research: Matter of minds
A new study is the first to define and put a value on the global mental wellness industry – estimating it to be worth US$121bn. But what does this mean for spas?
Sponsored briefing: Starpool: Cargo-tecture
During lockdown, Riccardo Turri, CEO of Starpool, was inspired to create a whole new category of product, based on recycled containers. The result is the new i.con spa brand, which fuses luxury, wellness, recycling and design
Software: All booked up
Spa software suppliers take a look at 'big data' to reveal the booking trends they’ve seen since spas have reopened
Promotion: Voya: supporting spa partners
Jessica Anhold, Voya’s head of global sales and marketing, talks community in a time of crisis and how the company is supporting its spa partners
Global Wellness Day (GWD) will mark its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the
theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities
that spark joy.
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider,
HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its
site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant
redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining
training, recovery and relaxation.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French
West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to
celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD).
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, in Malaysia, has revealed a schedule for Global Wellness Day
(GWD) that includes guided rainforest walks, mindful movement and guided coastal meditation
experiences.
Longevitix, a clinical platform for preventive and longevity medicine, has launched its AI-
powered intelligence system to help physicians deliver continuous, personalised longevity-
focused care at scale.
Atmantan Wellness Centre, an integrative wellness destination in Mulshi, near Pune in India, is
expanding its portfolio by adding a new centre in Hyderabad that will launch between 2028 and
2029.
A recent survey by the UK Spa Association (UKSA) into the industry’s approach to cancer care
has revealed that almost half of participating respondents (46 per cent) are unaware that
cancer is a disability and guests with a cancer diagnosis must be given
