Mental health issues affect a significant number of employees, often going unnoticed due to their invisible nature. This lack of visibility, combined with the stigma surrounding these conditions, can make employees hesitant to seek treatment for fear of jeopardizing their jobs. Meanwhile, managers and colleagues may want to offer support but are often unsure how to help. What solutions can be implemented to address this issue?
This post explores strategies recommended by professionals at a talk series event, along with personal anecdotes and advice.
The topic of mental health
Many companies fail to prioritise mental health, leaving employees feeling unsafe and vulnerable. This lack of attention can result in workers feeling overwhelmed by their workloads. Humans of New York by Brandon Stanton is a book that resonates with this topic. Through street portraits and interviews across New York City, Stanton explores personal stories that highlight wellbeing and what truly matters to individuals.
The term - "healthy work-life balance"
When the term “balance” is used to describe a healthy work-life dynamic, it often brings to mind an image of scales, with a person striving to keep both sides equal. However, it is important to recognise that spending more time in one area, such as family, may sometimes be necessary to restore overall motivation.
Practical solutions
Common but effective suggestions include hiring a mental health counsellor within the company and working to reduce stigma around mental health discussions. Both employees and employers should be encouraged to recognise and address signs that a colleague may be struggling. Active listening can be highly valuable in offering appropriate support, and companies should maintain transparency about the services they provide.
Strategies to increase happiness
Many companies fail to prioritise mental health, leaving employees feeling unsafe and vulnerable. This lack of attention can result in workers feeling overwhelmed by their workloads. Humans of New York by Brandon Stanton is a book that resonates with this topic. Through street portraits and interviews across New York City, Stanton explores personal stories that highlight wellbeing and what truly matters to individuals.
The term - "healthy work-life balance"
When the term “balance” is used to describe a healthy work-life dynamic, it often brings to mind an image of scales, with a person striving to keep both sides equal. However, it is important to recognise that spending more time in one area, such as family, may sometimes be necessary to restore overall motivation.
Another way to visualise balance is through four quadrants - health, work, family, and friends - where attention to each area contributes to overall wellbeing.
Practical solutions
Common but effective suggestions include hiring a mental health counsellor within the company and working to reduce stigma around mental health discussions. Both employees and employers should be encouraged to recognise and address signs that a colleague may be struggling. Active listening can be highly valuable in offering appropriate support, and companies should maintain transparency about the services they provide.
Strategies to increase happiness
Although it may not be the primary responsibility of a company to ensure employee happiness, there are ways to encourage wellbeing in the workplace. For example, scheduled social breaks, such as 15-minute “coffee roulette” chats, can provide a meaningful break from work. Additionally, HR-led surveys can help gather honest insights into employee wellbeing and workplace culture.
External support available outside
Providing clear signposting to external sources of support is important, especially as an alternative to raising concerns directly with a manager. Examples include contact details for mental health charities or local support services, such as drop-in centres that assist individuals in emotional distress. Additionally, companies may consider offering access to external counsellors if internal resources are insufficient.
Supporting co-workers at times
As the saying goes, “You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make it drink.” It is important to give individuals the space they need and not force them to open up before they are ready. The most appropriate form of support may sometimes involve stepping back and respecting boundaries while remaining available when needed.
Achieving a good work lifestyle
Setting personal boundaries is important. For example, choosing not to respond to emails outside working hours can help maintain separation between work and personal life. One useful approach is to include a note in emails such as: “Please respond when you are available, as this is not urgent.” Small adjustments like this can help reinforce healthier workplace boundaries.
Seen the ad? Tell me more about it
“The way I think about culture is that modern humans have radically changed the way that they work and the way that they live. Companies need to change the way they manage and lead to match the way that modern humans actually work and live.” – Brian Halligan, CEO, Hubspot
— Trueblogposts (@trueblogposts) September 2, 2020
External support available outside
Providing clear signposting to external sources of support is important, especially as an alternative to raising concerns directly with a manager. Examples include contact details for mental health charities or local support services, such as drop-in centres that assist individuals in emotional distress. Additionally, companies may consider offering access to external counsellors if internal resources are insufficient.
Supporting co-workers at times
As the saying goes, “You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make it drink.” It is important to give individuals the space they need and not force them to open up before they are ready. The most appropriate form of support may sometimes involve stepping back and respecting boundaries while remaining available when needed.
Achieving a good work lifestyle
Setting personal boundaries is important. For example, choosing not to respond to emails outside working hours can help maintain separation between work and personal life. One useful approach is to include a note in emails such as: “Please respond when you are available, as this is not urgent.” Small adjustments like this can help reinforce healthier workplace boundaries.
Seen the ad? Tell me more about it
Improved Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) provide confidential counselling, resources, and support for mental health issues. Employees are encouraged to speak with their manager or supervisor for more information.
This post aims to highlight key factors that contribute to a healthier workplace. While the list is not exhaustive, it serves as a useful starting point for discussion.
Resources
(Article) It’s a New Era for Mental Health at Work
Published in the Harvard Business Review, this article discusses the changing landscape of mental health in workplaces and highlights the importance of addressing stigma alongside diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
(Article) Navigating Mental Health at Work: A Reading List
This resource is useful for employees experiencing mental health challenges, as well as managers preparing for sensitive workplace conversations.
(Paper) Thriving at Work: a review of mental health and employers
This resource is useful for employees experiencing mental health challenges, as well as managers preparing for sensitive workplace conversations.
Last updated: 01/01/2026
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7 comments:
Congratulations on raising a very important issue. Truth be told everyone struggles sometimes but most people are afraid to admit it, especially in high-pressure work environments. I particularly like your thoughts on work-life balance. To me, it is an ideal that just brings added pressure. I also feel that recognizing and celebrating that we are all fragile and sensitive beings is the first and most important step. No one has to be on top of everything all the time!
Respecting each Other's boundaries, is a good way of affirming ourselves as unique beings entitled to have and express unique feelings. This lifts our sense of self.
I think this is something that all of us can stand to read. All of us can get so wrapped up in our own stuff, especially at work, that we forget that others are going through their own stuff, too.
this article is very timely, especially right now when the pandemic is causing too much stress on people. having an environment that helps alleviate these stresses is really helpful in keeping us to move forward. thanks for this!
Mental health is the workplace is very important, it is the reason I left a few jobs. Companies need to understand that happy employees are more loyal and productive.
In the past, I think it was more customary at work to separate the personal from the professional, but that often left people with a sense that they had to be a robot when they came into work. There is a fine line between being your full self and having your human experience while still being professional, but I think we should be walking that line, because we spend so much time at work anyway!
We should really acknowledge the need to maintain and check the current state of our mental health. We should also check the workplace and ensure that we are aligned with it.
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