Raise your hand if you’ve ever snapped at your family or friends after a tough day at the office? Reached for that bar of chocolate when your boss piled on another task? Or ended up with a splitting headache while prepping for a big meeting? If you’re nodding along, you’ve likely felt some classic signs of stress, which can take a toll on your mental well-being. But don’t worry, you’re not alone – about one in six people face mental health challenges at work.
The good news is that the conversation around mental health and the workplace is evolving like never before. Once considered taboo, it’s finally getting the attention it deserves. Thanks to initiatives like World Mental Health Day and the tireless efforts of mental health organisations, conversations around mental health are more visible than ever. We’ve entered a new era where prioritising mental well-being is no longer a mere tick box exercise for HR; it’s becoming a fundamental part of company culture.
The Covid-19 pandemic played a huge role in this cultural shift, helping to normalise mental health challenges. What used to be considered a perk – mental health support – has transformed into a business priority.
While not all mental health struggles begin at work, employers are beginning to recognise the bidirectional relationship between work environments and mental well-being, with 81% of workplaces ramping up their focus on employee mental health since the pandemic. This shift isn’t merely a response to social pressures; research shows that investing in mental health can lead to substantial financial returns. For every £1 spent on mental health initiatives, employers can expect £5 in return.
But are companies taking this responsibility seriously enough? Tossing around buzz words like “well-being” or “mental fitness” isn’t going to cut it. Companies need to align their promises with real, meaningful actions. It’s great to see businesses offering duvet days, four-day workweeks, hybrid working and enhanced counselling services, but these should be viewed as just the starting point.
The stats are startling: globally, 12 billion working days – equivalent to 50 million years of work – are lost each year due to depression and anxiety. In the UK, 28% of sick days are caused by poor employee mental health. Given that we as adults spend on average 60% of our time at work, its concerning that nearly a quarter of workers say they struggle to unwind in their downtime because of work stress, and if you think hybrid workers have it easier, think again – they’re often feeling the squeeze even more. Clearly, there’s still so much more to be done to create mentally healthy workplaces.
One of the most significant barriers is the fear of being misunderstood or judged. This challenge is amplified by the rise of playful slang like “menty-b” or “stressy and depressy,” on social media. While some hope that this light-hearted language can reduce stigma and remind people they’re not alone, its casual use can trivialise real struggles people face, especially when it’s used loosely in the workplace. Instead of letting this language slide, we need to foster a culture where thoughtful and meaningful conversations about mental health are the norm.
While workplaces are far from havens of well-being, some companies are making strides in supporting mental health. Lloyds Bank has trained more than 2500 mental health first aiders, providing hands-on support for employees in need. Similarly, Barclays champions the This is Me campaign, which encourages staff to share their personal mental health journeys, helping to break down stigma. Meanwhile, Google promotes mindfulness through its gPause programme, helping employees integrate meditation into their daily routines. And although there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to workplace mental health challenges, we can learn from these companies. Setting a tone that say says, “it’s ok to talk about how you feel; you are not alone” is essential.
As we celebrate Mental Health Day, take a moment to reflect on how you can create a more supportive workplace for everyone. By showing a little more compassion, being vulnerable about our struggles and adopting sustainable work practices, we can make a real difference.