October 10 marks World Mental Health Day, an annual occasion dedicated to raising awareness about mental health issues and promoting efforts that support mental wellbeing. This year, the theme set by the World Federation for Mental Health is workplace mental health. This focus highlights the critical role workplaces play in shaping the mental health of individuals and communities alike.
Work can have a huge impact on our mental health—both positive and negative. For many, the workplace provides a sense of purpose, boosts self-worth, and offers valuable opportunities to connect with others. But it can also be a significant source of stress and anxiety, contributing to the development or worsening of mental health challenges.
The Importance of Mental Health at Work
Statistics from the World Federation for Mental Health reveal the extent of mental health issues in the workplace:
- 15% of UK workers are estimated to have an existing mental health condition.
- In 2022/23, 875,000 workers reported suffering from work-related stress, depression, or anxiety.
- Mental health was the 5th most common reason for sickness absence in the UK in 2022.
Given the amount of time many of us spend at work—whether in an office, at home, or elsewhere—it’s essential that workplaces offer environments that support mental health. But what does a mentally healthy workplace look like?
What Makes a Workplace Mentally Healthy?
A mentally healthy workplace is one that actively supports its employees’ mental wellbeing by:
- Encouraging open conversations about mental health, and role modelling good healthy behaviours, making it easier for employees to talk about their struggles without fear of stigma.
- Providing staff training on mental health awareness, so leaders and team members can better understand and support one another.
- Encouraging prioritising wellbeing creates a culture of proactive health management, rather than reactive recovery management.
- Tackling discrimination and bullying to foster a safe and inclusive environment for all.
- Creating policies that promote work-life balance, such as flexible working arrangements or time off for mental health.
These measures can help reduce the negative impact of work-related stress and create a more positive, supportive workplace culture.
A Personal Message on World Mental Health Day
As we reflect on World Mental Health Day, it’s important to remember that mental health affects us all. We all go through mental health struggles—whether it’s stress, anxiety, depression, or, in my case, a personal crisis 12 years ago related to addiction. It’s crucial to understand that you are not alone in your journey.
One of the most powerful things you can do for your mental health is to look for similarities, not differences. Whatever you’re going through, someone else has likely experienced it, too. By finding common ground with others, you can cultivate a sense of connection and community. This connection can be incredibly grounding and healing, helping to reduce feelings of isolation and reminding you that there’s a way forward.
As leaders, it’s crucial to be open about our own challenges and insights. By role-modelling healthy behaviours, we not only set a positive example but also create a culture where others feel empowered to prioritise their own wellbeing. It’s important for people to understand that if we don’t make time for our wellbeing now, we’ll eventually be forced to make time for recovery later. That’s why proactively managing your health isn’t just a good idea—it’s essential for preventing burnout and sustaining your resilience long-term.
The Role of Connection in Workplace Mental Health
Feeling connected to others is essential for our mental wellbeing, and the workplace can be a great place to foster these connections. Creating spaces where employees feel comfortable talking about their mental health is a key step toward building a supportive work culture. It’s about more than just offering mental health days—it’s about ensuring that everyone feels safe, valued, and understood, regardless of the challenges they face.
The Mental Health Foundation’s ‘How to support mental health at work’ report highlights several evidence-based ways to improve mental health at work, and two of their key strategies deeply resonate with this message of connection:
1. Accept Who You Are
One of the most powerful steps towards mental wellbeing is self-acceptance. We’re all different, and learning to embrace our uniqueness can boost self-esteem and confidence. When we stop comparing ourselves to others and instead focus on who we are, we create the space to connect more authentically with those around us.
Workplaces often place a high value on success and achievement, which can lead to people tying their self-worth to their performance at work. In a mentally healthy workplace, individuals are encouraged to accept themselves, and this self-acceptance fosters more meaningful connections with colleagues.
2. Care for Others
Caring for others is not just a key element of human relationships—it’s also a significant factor in wellbeing. The Mental Health Foundation notes that supporting colleagues or being there as a friend or mentor can help you feel needed and valued, which boosts self-esteem. Whether you work in a caregiving industry or not, choosing to help and support those around you can create a culture of empathy and connection.
Volunteering, mentoring, coaching and simply being there for others in the workplace allows us to see the world from different perspectives, which can help put our own struggles in context. Supporting others not only benefits their mental health but also strengthens our own sense of community and belonging.
Workplaces that offer flexible working, carers’ leave, childcare vouchers, and other supportive initiatives can positively impact mental health and productivity.
How Workplaces Can Support Mental Health
The statistics remind us that mental health isn’t just a personal issue—it’s a workplace issue. Creating a mentally healthy workplace is essential for both the wellbeing of employees and the success of businesses. Companies that take the time to invest in their employees’ mental health are not only helping their people—they are also positioning themselves for long-term success by cultivating a resilient, engaged workforce.
By focusing on connection, self-acceptance, and caring for others, businesses can cultivate an environment where employees feel empowered to prioritise their mental health. This shift in culture will not only help individuals thrive but also contribute to the overall success and sustainability of the organisation.
Final Thoughts
This World Mental Health Day, let’s reflect on how we can make workplaces more mentally healthy by fostering connection. Support your colleagues, encourage open conversations, and be mindful of how self-acceptance and caring for others can make a profound difference in mental wellbeing. Remember that a mentally healthy workplace benefits everyone—employees, organisations, and the communities around them.
What will you do today to promote connection and wellbeing in your workplace?
Resources
We have lots of free resources, blogs, videos and scorecards that we hope will give you tips and insights to help improve your overall wellbeing, both mental and physical. You may also enjoy my book ‘Cadence: The Secret to Beating Burnout and Having More Fun in Life and Work’
By far our most popular resource is the 12 Stages of Burnout. We look at the 12 stages as identified through the work of psychologists Gail North and Herbert Freudenberger. We offer things to be aware of, so the passive and active signs you may notice in yourself or in someone else. Then we give practical, actionable insights on things you can do to help prevent burnout from getting more serious or in the later stages to aid recovery.
The Mental Health Foundation has lots of useful information and resources to support you personally or as an organisation.