World Mental Health Day - How prioritising wellbeing at work drives success
Mental health in the workplace is something I’ve always cared deeply about, and it’s a key reason why I founded Reasonful. After navigating my own mental health challenges, I felt compelled to help others who might be struggling in silence. That’s why I’m thrilled that this year’s World Mental Health Day, on October 10th, focuses on mental health in the workplace - a topic that affects millions of workers globally.
In fact, the World Health Organization (2022) reports that 15% of all working-age adults live with a mental health condition - a figure that likely excludes many who haven’t been diagnosed. With work taking up such a huge portion of our lives, it’s no surprise that our work environment plays a critical role in shaping our mental wellbeing. But too often, work isn't the positive, supportive space it should be.
Many jobs add stress, anxiety, and pressure, leaving employees drained. 875,000 workers reported work-related stress, depression, or anxiety in 2022-23 (HSE, 2023). Even more telling, ‘how to reduce stress’ is searched for once every 10 minutes in the UK (Forth, 2024) - a damning indictment of just how widespread this issue has become.
In this blog, I’ll explore the current state of mental health in the workplace, discuss why prioritising mental health is crucial, and offer practical solutions for creating a healthier work environment.
The Current State of Mental Health in the Workplace
Understanding mental health in the workplace can be tricky, especially since attitudes and resources vary widely across different industries. After working with organisations in sectors like financial services and insurance, I’ve noticed several common themes and challenges.
First, the sheer prevalence of mental health issues continues to be staggering. About 1 in 4 adults in the UK struggle with their mental health (NHS, England); and, in my experience, mental health issues aren’t something you can just leave at home. Inevitably, it impacts how people work, and if workplaces don’t support those who are struggling, the consequences can be severe.
Second, post-pandemic stress is still a major concern. Many people continue to deal with the mental health effects of COVID-19, as the shift to remote and hybrid work has introduced its own set of challenges. Flexible work options are great, but they often blur the line between work and personal life, leading to fatigue and feelings of disconnection. This alone should incentivise organisations to offer meaningful mental health support.
Additionally, economic pressures - such as the rising cost of living in the UK - are taking a toll on workers' mental health. Financial worries can cause significant stress, which affects both job performance and overall wellbeing.
There’s a clear, ongoing need just to simply talk about and recognise mental health in the workplace - well before organisations get to the stage of actively addressing root causes. Reassuringly, over the years, I’ve seen companies increasingly bridge this gap in communication. Nonetheless, there’s still a long way to go when it comes to providing support and resources. Indeed, for many leaders I work with, and who do already recognise the need to support their teams, the central issue often revolves around feeling unsure of where to start. This is particularly challenging for the many who haven’t received any specialist training around mental health.
The Benefits of Prioritising Mental Health in the Workplace
In the whirlwind of day-to-day business, where we’re all juggling an overwhelming workload, mental health initiatives can sometimes feel like a 'nice-to-have' and often slip to the bottom of the to-do list. But prioritising mental health in the workplace isn’t just a compassionate choice - it’s a strategic one.
As the World Federation for Mental Health (2024) highlights, prioritising workplace mental health facilitates the overall success of an organisation by benefiting workers first, companies second and their surrounding communities third.
When employees feel supported and mentally well, they’re more engaged, productive, and motivated - as opposed to the levels of distraction, fatigue, and absenteeism that mental health challenges inspire. Not to put too fine a point on it, but by providing the right support, organisations can create a more focused and resilient workforce whilst addressing key concerns like presenteeism (where employees are present but mentally checked out). The resulting improvements in, not just morale, but performance speak for themselves.
This level of care and attention, as organisations will rightly conclude, does have a direct impact on employee retention rates. Put simply, a culture that prioritises openness, trust, and respect strengthens team dynamics and creates an environment they can not only bring their full selves to but also wish to remain a part of. It’s not just conducive to retaining and attracting new talent - critically, it promotes creativity and innovation in the workplace from energised and confident employees.
And then, of course, there’s the return on investment. McKinsey’s March 2024 report estimates that enhancing employee health and wellbeing could generate between $3.7 trillion to $11.7 trillion in economic value globally.
McKinsey (2024) also found a strong correlation between improved health and increased workforce participation. A mere 1-3% increase in participation can drive additional revenue of $1.4 billion to $4.2 billion, illustrating the direct link between a mentally healthy workforce and organisational performance.
I’ve written a full blog on the ROI of mental health strategies, where I dive deeper into the data that demonstrates why mental health support is much more than a 'nice-to-have.' You can read it here.
Practical Steps to Prioritise Mental Health in the Workplace
We’ve talked about the importance of prioritising mental health in the workplace but how do we create an environment that does this? Here are some practical steps to get started…
Establish or Review a Mental Health Policy - If your workplace doesn't have a mental health policy yet, now's the time to create one! Or, if you already have one, it's worth giving it a review to ensure it includes things like flexible working hours, mental health days, and easy access to support.
Encourage Open Conversations - A mentally healthy workplace is one where people feel safe to talk openly about how they’re feeling. Encourage regular check-ins and create a space where employees can raise concerns or ask for help without worrying about judgement. This can help tackle issues early before they snowball into bigger problems.
Provide Access to Support - From Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) to mental health apps, make sure your team knows where to turn for help. Having a range of options means employees can choose what feels right for them - whether they need immediate help or ongoing support.
Train Staff and Managers - It’s not always easy to spot when someone might be struggling, so training staff and managers to recognise the signs is crucial. Empower your managers to have compassionate, supportive conversations when needed - these small interventions can make a big difference.
Promote Work-Life Balance - Work-life balance is more than just a buzzword. Encourage employees to take breaks, use their holiday time, and respect boundaries between work and personal life.
Lead by Example - Leaders, this one’s for you! If you’re prioritising your mental health, your team is more likely to follow suit. When leadership models healthy behaviours - whether it’s taking time off, setting boundaries, or discussing their own mental wellbeing - it helps remove the stigma around mental health conversations.
Commit to Long-Term Change - It’s not enough to just talk about mental health on World Mental Health Day. Regularly assess how your initiatives are working, get feedback from employees, and keep the conversation going. A long-term commitment shows you’re serious about making mental health a core part of your workplace culture.
These are just a few starting points, but every organisation should aim to develop a comprehensive wellbeing strategy. As Work Human (2024) articulates well in their blog: “A well-executed employee wellbeing strategy takes on a prevention-over-cure approach, meaning that it addresses risk factors in the work environment before they happen.”
If you want to learn more about developing an employee wellbeing strategy, check out my blog, Building a Wellbeing Strategy: A Blueprint for a Happier and Healthier Workplace, here.
In conclusion, prioritising mental health in the workplace isn’t just an act of kindness; it’s a strategic investment in both employee wellbeing and organisational success. By creating environments where mental health is openly discussed, supported, and nurtured, companies can cultivate more engaged, creative, and productive teams. Whether your organisation is just beginning to explore mental health initiatives or looking for ways to refresh and enhance current efforts, I’m here to help.
Here at Reasonful, we offer wellbeing support by the hour (a popular option with startups), mental health workshops, line manager training, and more. Book a no-obligation 20-minute call to learn more (click here).
This World Mental Health Day, I encourage you to reflect on how your organisation is prioritising mental health and where you are on this journey. Feel free to share your experiences and strategies.
I’m Miriam and I run Reasonful - we offer support to small and medium-sized businesses that are typically facing challenges of rapid growth, talent retention, fast-paced work and constant pressure to deliver results, all whilst wanting to support long-term employee mental health and wellbeing.
We offer mental health workshops, mindfulness classes, wellbeing strategy support and bespoke programmes.