How to support employee mental health in the workplace

Poor mental health affects one in four people at some point in their lives and has a significant impact on employee wellbeing. This can lead to low staff productivity, low morale, increased sickness and retention issues.

We’ve put together some tips on how employers can promote good mental health and support employees.

Talk about it

It’s important that managers create an environment in which employees feel comfortable to speak up. Talking is often the first step in seeking help to address the difficulties.

Of course, it isn’t a manager’s job to provide counselling, but they can signpost employees to relevant websites or services.

It could be worth including mental health resources in inductions and team meetings, so colleagues who are less confident in speaking up are still aware that help is available.

Regular 1-2-1 meetings are a really good way of checking in with an employee. Having something in the calendar at the same time every week or month promotes regular discussion and allows employees a space in which they feel heard. And it’s a good time for managers to spot any potential areas of concern.

If an employee needs time off for their mental health, it should be met with the same understanding and concern you’d expect for someone with a physical health problem.

Learn about it

Educating managers on what to look out for is essential when it comes to poor mental health in the workforce. This could be done through workshops or webinars, as interactive learning is likely to be more effective.

If you don’t have in-house specialists, there will be third-party experts who offer resources and relevant training, as well as free resources from national campaigns and charities. Just make sure you do due diligence on sources before signposting.

Mental wellbeing doesn’t operate in isolation – employee mental health and financial wellbeing are found to be closely linked. Research shows that 57% of people identified finances as the leading cause of stress in their lives. So fixing one can often help to fix the other.

Offering financial education on a range of topics like budgeting, debt management and investing can help to alleviate financial stress, contributing to better mental health.

And it works both ways, because offering help with mental health can help to give workers the right mindset to take control of their finances.

Be flexible

The working day can’t always be a one-size-fits-all arrangement. Being open to making adjustments for employees who are struggling can make a big difference to their wellbeing.

Flexible working hours and remote working help people to manage their workload and personal life, increasing productivity and reducing stress in the long term. Understandably, not every role will be able to accommodate flexible or remote working. But if it’s a possibility, it should be considered.

And be sure to encourage your workforce to take their annual leave entitlement, because taking breaks is hugely important for mental wellbeing.

Diligence in responding to holiday requests is also crucial, so employees can plan those breaks without any uncertainty and added stress.

Mental health champions

Recruiting mental health champions in the workplace can be a good way to bridge the gap between a struggling employee and the help they need.

Champions should be provided with training to help tackle difficult situations, and can signpost relevant resources and websites. It might make it easier for employees to reach out to a wellbeing champion, as speaking to a manager about mental health might not come easily to everyone.

It would also mean managers have more support when dealing with poor mental health in the team, as they have someone to consult with on any difficult situations. They can also direct employees straight to a champion when appropriate.

At HL, we have wellbeing champions and mental health first aiders across different teams. We also have a cycle-to-work scheme to help boost physical health, as well as benefitting mental health.

As it’s a key component of mental health, we work hard to improve financial wellbeing in the workplace. To find out more, take a look at our Five to Thrive initiative.

Although this article gives you information on how to help support others, it isn’t professional or medical advice. If you’re not sure of the best course of action for a specific situation, ask for guidance from a professional.

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