According to Mental Health UK, over the past decade the number of workers aged 16–34 years who reported that their mental health limits the amount of work they can do has more than quadrupled.
Mental health in the workplace has gained much-deserved attention in recent years as employers have seen how supporting employees benefits not only the individual, but the business as a whole.
Businesses that prioritise mental health are seeing the benefits of happier, healthier, and more engaged employees, but why exactly is mental health important in the workplace?
Here, we’ll be exploring why prioritising mental health is so beneficial and strategies your business can implement to encourage mental well-being within your team.
Why does mental health at work matter?
Did you know the average person will spend one-third of their life at work?
Workplaces are where most people will spend the majority of their time, so why would they not want to ensure it was a positive environment to work in?
Poor mental health at work can have a knock-on effect, causing problems in people’s personal lives and within the business.
Leading mental health charity Mind UK has found that one in six workers experiences mental health issues such as stress, anxiety or depression at any given time.
As a result, those suffering will often start to take more days off work, become less productive during the work day and are more likely to leave the company.
However, workplaces that value mental health and invest resources into this area of their staff’s lives see far less absenteeism, increased productivity and a happier, healthier team.
What are the benefits of a mentally healthy workplace?
A mentally healthy workplace benefits employees and employers.
For employees, there are a range of benefits, including:
- Improved well-being: When employees are encouraged to prioritise their mental health, it creates an environment where they feel supported and valued.
- Improved performance: Everyone wants to perform well at work, and statistically speaking, happy employees are 13 per cent more productive and less likely to experience burnout. Good mental health means more focus and more efficient workflows
- Increased job satisfaction: Positive work environments have been shown to improve job satisfaction, allowing your team to feel more connected to their role and take pride in their work
- Reducing stigma: With one in six workers facing mental health struggles, open discussions in the workplace can help encourage employees to reach out and seek help without fear of judgment.
On the other end of the spectrum, mentally healthy workplaces also benefit employers, with mental health initiatives having a return on investment of up to 800 per cent.
Some of the key areas in which employers see improvements are:
- Increased productivity: An increase in productivity not only benefits employees but also businesses as a more engaged team will help the business achieve its goals quicker
- Reduced absenteeism: Sick days caused by stress and other mental health issues can be significantly reduced when you have a team whose mental health is prioritised year-round.
- Improved staff retention: It’s no secret that employees are more likely to stay in jobs where they feel valued, happy, and have their mental health prioritised. In turn, this saves businesses money on training and recruitment costs.
How can employers support good mental health in the workplace?
Employers need to take the lead in creating a workplace that supports good mental health.
Many companies in the UK are now taking a number of actionable steps to ensure their team feels supported.
To begin with, open communication with a clear open-door policy is a basic but powerful step employers can take to ensure their team feels comfortable discussing concerns.
As part of this, it’s important that employers clearly communicate to employees that a healthy work-life balance is encouraged.
This can include flexible work hours, potentially accommodating hybrid working, and discouraging excessive overtime.
Employee surveys from Q4 of 2024 have now revealed that 69 per cent of employees say that recognition and rewards keep them loyal to their employers.
Acknowledging employee’s hard work and contributions is essential to boosting morale and creating a positive environment that makes staff feel good and keeps retention high.
Finally, as an employer, providing mental health training and adequate resources should be at the top of your priorities.
Managers should be equipped with the skills to recognise when staff are experiencing a decline in mental health and be able to respond sensitively.
As part of this, employers should try to offer counselling services and access to mental health resources.
What can businesses achieve with effective mental health initiatives?
The right mental health initiatives can completely transform a business, with many companies seeing higher employee engagement, improved teamwork and improved bottom lines.
Employees who feel cared for and supported and lead healthier lives are more likely to invest more time and energy into a business, wanting it to succeed and be a part of that success.
In fact, a case study from Deloitte demonstrated that companies who invested in mental health programs saw an average return of £5 for every £1 spent.
What to do if a job is negatively affecting your mental health
Often, people can reach a point where their mental health is suffering as a direct result of their job.
If you are struggling, it’s crucial for you to take action by doing the following:
Speaking to your employer
The first step is to always communicate with your employer and discuss your feelings to highlight your concerns and try to work with them to find a solution.
Reaching out for professional help
Those struggling with mental health should always seek out support, advice and guidance from trained mental health professionals.
Your workplace may offer access to these services, or they can be made available via your GP.
If you have found yourself in a position where your job has started to negatively affect your mental health inside and outside of the workplace, it’s essential to reach out.
Know the Law
UK employment laws are in place to protect employees across the country, particularly those who are struggling with their mental health.
If you are facing ongoing mental health problems, you are likely to meet the definition of having a disability under the Equality Act 2010 and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.
As such, your employer is required to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate these mental health conditions, and failure to do so is a breach of these laws.
Seek legal support
As a final course of action, you may wish to seek legal advice if your employer has failed to act on the previous points, your mental health issues are worsening, or you believe your employee rights have been violated.
To learn more about why mental health is important in the workplace, visit our Mental Illness at Work page.
