12 billion working days has been reported to have been lost globally, every year due to anxiety and depression, according to an article published by the World Health Organisation in 2024, (https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-at-work). Addressing mental well-being has become more than a “nice-to-have” but it is an essential part of creating a healthy, productive, and sustainable work environment.
Why Mental Health in the Workplace Matters
Mental health challenges such as stress, burnout, anxiety, and depression are becoming increasingly common. According to global studies, workplace stress is one of the leading causes of employee absenteeism, high turnover, and reduced productivity.
When mental health is ignored, businesses face not only financial losses but also declining morale and a weakened company culture.
On the other hand, when organizations prioritize mental well-being, they create environments where employees feel supported, valued, and empowered to perform at their best.
10 Practical Strategies to Promote Mental Health in the Workplace. Employers play a critical role in shaping workplace culture around mental health. Some key strategies include:
1. Promoting Psychological Safety. Creating open conversations to encourage employees to talk about mental health without fear of stigma.
2. Providing resources and support by offering access to counselling services, employee wellness programs, or mental health hotlines internally or externally.
3. Promoting work-life balance by supporting flexible working hours where operationally possible, ensuring reasonable workloads, and encouraging regular breaks.
4. Training managers can equip leaders with the tools to recognize early signs of burnout or distress and respond with empathy.
Employees can also take active steps to safeguard their mental health in the workplace by:
5. Setting healthy boundaries with workloads and work hours.
6. Practicing self-care through exercise, mindfulness, and rest.
7. Reaching out for support when feeling overwhelmed.
8. Supporting colleagues who may be struggling.
9. Building a Culture of Care.
10. Build routines that help. Use a gratitude journal in the morning to set the tone for your day, or go for a quick walk during your lunch break to get some fresh air and change your scenery, or have a conversation over coffee, as an example. Small positive habits can make a difference.
Mental health should never be treated as a once-off campaign. Instead, it needs to be integrated into the very fabric of workplace culture. When leaders normalize discussions around mental health, they break down stigma and inspire employees to seek help without hesitation.
This Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s remember that supporting mental well-being is not only good for people but also for business. Healthy employees are engaged, motivated, and innovative. By fostering a workplace that values mental health, organizations can thrive while ensuring their teams do too.
Investing in mental health is not just an act of care, it’s a strategy for long-term success.