This year’s WHO World Mental Health Day is dedicated to Mental Health at Work. Creating safe and healthy work environments is essential for safeguarding mental health, while unhealthy workplace conditions, such as stigma, discrimination, harassment, and other negative factors, can severely impact mental well-being, diminish quality of life, and hinder both engagement and productivity. 74.8% of the UK population is employed1, and in Surrey 82% of residents aged 16 to 64 are in employment2, which makes it crucial to take steps to mitigate risks to mental health in the workplace and foster a supportive environment that promotes well-being and mental health.
It is important for all stakeholders responsible for workers’ health and safety to come together to improve mental health at work, addressing it with the meaningful involvement of employees and persons with lived experience of mental health conditions. Working together, we have the opportunity to ensure that everyone thrives at work.
Sue Murphy, CEO of Catalyst Support says: “As we celebrate World Mental Health Day 2024, with a focus on Mental Health at Work, it is more important than ever to recognise that creating safe, healthy environments is key to supporting our employees’ well-being. A healthy workplace doesn’t just protect physical health; it nurtures mental wellness too, ensuring that everyone feels valued and empowered. At the heart of our mission is supporting wellness together—a commitment to nurturing an open, inclusive culture where mental health is championed, and stigma is reduced. By working together, we can build environments where our employees truly thrive, and their well-being remains our top priority.”
Have an Open Conversation about Mental Health
Open conversations about mental health at work are crucial for fostering a supportive and inclusive environment, where employees feel comfortable seeking help when needed. In the UK, mental health issues are a significant concern, with 1 in 6.8 people experiencing mental health problems in the workplace3. Open dialogue can help reduce stigma, encourage early intervention, and promote well-being, which can ultimately lead to healthier workplace. Normalising these discussions ensures that employees and their mental health are supported.
Catalyst Support HR Manager Andrea Bishop says that it is important we all take care of our own wellbeing and check in with ourselves and our colleagues. Andrea shares her experience of a practice used in the charity to help open the conversation about mental health: “Until I joined Catalyst Support, I had never experienced the concept of brief ‘check-ins’ at the start of team meetings – a safe place and an open conversation, where you can share your own happiness, challenges, and vulnerabilities.” Practices like this can normalise sharing mental health challenges people face in the workplace and promote awareness and understanding.
HR teams can play an important role in helping an organisation improve employees’ mental wellbeing. Andrea says: “It is important that HR helps to break down the stigma of mental health through education and awareness – mental health struggles and mental ill health are common and not something to be ashamed of.”
End Stigma at Work
Stigma and discrimination frequently stop individuals with mental health conditions from seeking support or securing and maintaining employment. Addressing workplace discrimination by raising awareness, providing training, and actively engaging with individuals living with mental health challenges is key to fostering healthier, more inclusive work environments. These efforts help break down barriers, allowing employees to feel supported, reducing stigma, and promoting a culture where mental health is treated with the same importance as physical health.
End Stigma Surrey – a service provided by Catalyst Support in partnership with Mary Frances Trust and Surrey County Council, is working to reduce mental health stigma by providing training for individuals and organisations to help them build better communication skills, create more compassionate environments, and foster a truly supportive community.
Free tailored courses provided by End Stigma Surrey can help spot and manage mental health discrimination, understand its damaging impact, and take action against it. Courses last a maximum of one hour and are available for workplace training, primary care settings and for individuals who wish to learn how they can reduce mental health stigma.
See or courses and sign up here: www.endstigmasurrey.org.uk/register.
As we recognize World Mental Health Day 2024 with a focus on Mental Health at Work, it is clear that prioritising mental well-being in the workplace is more important than ever. It is vital for all stakeholders to take meaningful steps to create inclusive and supportive work environments. By fostering open conversations, reducing stigma, raising mental health awareness and providing training, we can work together to build workplaces where everyone feels empowered to seek help and thrive. Mental health is just as important as physical health, and addressing it with compassion and awareness benefits both individuals and organisations alike. Let’s commit to making mental health a priority in every workplace.
References used in the article:
- Employment – National: Key Economic Indicators – House of Commons Library (parliament.uk)
- The Surrey workforce: statistics about jobs and employees in the county | Surrey-i (surreyi.gov.uk)
- “Mental Health in the Workplace”, Mental Health Foundation, 2016