A man calls his male friend and says, “Goodnight mate, sweet dreams”. Awkward pause, hysterical laughter, some choice words of surprise.
A comical goodnight prank is trending on TikTok. Thousands of men have been joining in, including celebrities like Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal, filming themselves calling a friend to wish them goodnight to be met with complete disbelief and silence.
While it makes for some great light-hearted scrolling, it speaks to a deeper issue: men are not checking in on each other and talking about feelings is still counterculture. This trend hits differently during loneliness awareness week.
Loneliness hits the finance industry
While social media and the internet mean our world is so connected in some ways, loneliness, anxiety and poor mental health are growing into a global crisis and it’s affecting the finance industry more than others.
For sectors like finance, mental health is often a footnote in high-performance cultures but it’s time it became a priority. 17% of people in the finance and insurance industry are reporting complete burnout symptoms vs 12% in other industries, according to a Deloitte survey.
Globally, 12 billion days are lost annually due to poor mental health. The average cost per employee of poor mental health is double in the finance industry compared to other sectors.
So, what can we do if we’re struggling?
Most of us feel lonely and disconnected at some points during our lives. It’s not always about being alone but rather feeling like you’re misunderstood, not being acknowledged or your communication doesn’t align.
If you are feeling lonely, Loneliness Awareness Week has a three-step guide to getting the connection you need.
- Acknowledge your feelings and don’t feel embarrassed. Humans are wired for social contact. Listen to your body and respond to its signs of needing human connection.
- Identify areas where you do have support and people you can talk to. Find a level of social contact that you feel comfortable with. While the TikTok trend is meant as humour, there’s value in reaching out to a friend, even if it is that “goodnight” call.
- Find ways you can build social connections back into your life. Take note of how social media interactions make you feel. While remote and hybrid working, self-checkouts and unmanned gyms are becoming the norm, we may need to put some dedicated effort back into building connections that matter to us.
What can financial firms do?
Mind Forwards Alliance offers tips to transform workplace mental health. Their research shows improved employee well-being leads not only to happier staff but increased productivity, better staff retention and reduction in absences.
1. Make mental health a business priority
Embed mental health in strategy, with leadership accountability and clear KPIs—just like any business goal.
- Train compassionate leaders
Equip managers to lead with empathy and hold open, stigma-free conversations about wellbeing.
- Foster social connection
Build inclusive cultures through peer networks, mentoring and support groups that reduce isolation.
- Design healthy roles
Review workloads, encourage flexibility and give employees more autonomy over how they work.
- Measure and improve
Track wellbeing data regularly, share progress transparently and act on what employees say.
A Simple Gesture, A Culture Shift
Let’s make reaching out to a friend to check in the norm, not a laughable trend.
The finance sector doesn’t need to invent a new wellness strategy. It just needs to listen to what people are doing on social media and what they’re not saying in the office. Connection doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes, it starts with “goodnight.”
Read our next blog on: Forgetful? Struggling to focus? It could be digital amnesia