Why Every Day Should be Mental Health Day at Work

By Paula Allen, Global Leader and Senior Vice-President of Research and Total Wellbeing at LifeWorks

October marked World Mental Health Day and with this, many companies had the opportunity to review their policies and practices around employee wellbeing and mental health – as well as ways to improve current offerings.

While the day brings attention to the issue of mental health, it is critical that mental health and wellbeing is a priority every day.

To feel supported, employees should feel comfortable in their workplace and around their employers. They should also feel confident that there is a lack of stigma around any mental health and wellbeing challenges that may occur. Stigma remains an issue, and one that adds to anxieties and prevents people from seeking even confidential support.

In fact, more than half (55 per cent) of Britons believe that people with mental health conditions are treated differently, suggestive of the stigma that is still experienced at work.

Our Mental Health Index data shows there’s still a long way to go, especially around open communication and stigma of those with mental health and wellbeing challenges. We also know that as a collective, our mental health has declined. Two in five (39 per cent) working Britons have a high mental health risk, which is up significantly when compared to 2019. We are also more sensitive to stress, which shows itself in anger, cynicism and conflict.

With all of this, we still have the challenge of stigma, leading to people not reaching out and getting the support they need.

This is partly down to the continued stigma around voicing mental health challenges and concerns in the workplace. Another facet is the availability and accessibility of resources that target mental health in the workplace and support employees.

Many employees are not aware that their organisation offers confidential professional mental health and work-life support through an employee assistance programme (EAP). EAPs provide support 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. Moreover, having one demonstrates the care and concern the organisation has for employee wellbeing. Though there is still stigma regarding needing any sort of help, having information about the EAP from a manager who is in your corner allows employees to feel more comfortable in getting the help that they might need effectively and comprehensively.

EAPs also offer manager training, which helps leaders support a healthy environment as well as knowing how and when to step in when an employee is showing signs of strain.

Many employers will be wary about the potential of crossing boundaries with employees and blurring the lines between personal and professional spheres. However, employers aren’t expected to have all the answers but rather, the support systems in place to help. Therefore, having an EAP in place helps to alleviate additional stress from managers.

In addition to confidential personal mental health support, the workplace environment can also play a role in mental wellbeing. Flexibility, psychological safety, being valued and the experience of belonging are all drivers of mental wellbeing, with nearly three in five (58 per cent) Britons reporting that flexible work is more important than career progression. Employees’ priorities should be considered, to ensure that employee wellbeing is being supported effectively.

Mental health is an everyday issue, and one that needs to be addressed to ensure productivity, and a sound quality of life. World Mental Health Day should serve as a reminder of this and encourage workplaces to ensure that employee wellbeing is supported every day.