Creating a mental health friendly workplace

By Male Allies UK

25 May 2021

lee-chambers-mental-health-workplace.jpg

There are no two ways about it; COVID-19 has had a profound impact on mental health both in and out of the workplace. The uncertainty surrounding jobs and furlough, the added pressure of adapting to remote working, and the stress of managing work-life balance and the likely return to the office all have an impact of the mental wellbeing of your employees.

While it's true that we cannot control what goes on inside someone's head, we, as both leaders and employers, can have a profound impact on the mental health of those around us in our working environments. And the good news is, it isn't all that difficult either. A few carefully implemented strategies can create a mental health-friendly workplace that reaps the rewards on both personal and business levels.

Did you know that happy workers are 13% more productive? And, if better mental health support was implemented in the workplace, UK businesses could save as much as £8 billion every single year?

Plenty of food for thought. And here are ten ways to promote a culture of mental wellbeing inside your organisation.

#1 – Support & Praise

Being supportive and praising those around you are integral parts of a healthy and happy working environment. It's crucial for all team members – regardless of their role or level – to support and praise those around them.

#2 – Listen & Care

Sometimes the act of listening and showing that you can has a profound impact on how someone feels. If a colleague feels their problems, stresses, and concerns are being heard and actioned, it can help to improve morale and happiness within the workplace. However, if team members feel like they're not being listened to and no one genuinely cares, it can have the opposite effect.

#3 – Create a Mental Health Policy and Stick To It

Mental health is a challenging topic to deal with; therefore, it's a wise idea to draw up a Mental Health Policy (with input from all members of your team) and implement it into everyday working life. However, for it to be successful, everyone must commit to it.

#4 – Scheduled Relaxation

All work and no play makes everyone unhappy; therefore, it's essential to schedule in times where team members can take some time out to relax, take a step back, clear their mind, and not get bogged down.

#5 – Create an 'Open' Environment

Creating an environment where colleagues aren't afraid to air the opinions and talk about their feelings and problems is a fantastic way to understand how people are feeling and how you can solve any issues they have and move forward in a positive manner.

#6 – Lead by Example

Looking after our own mental health can be difficult; in fact, many of us don't really know what to do if we feel down, stressed, or if we're just not feeling 100%. Therefore, it's crucial to lead by example and demonstrate to those in your workplace how they can address and deal with mental health challenges.

#7 – Openness 

We touched upon this above, but being open with everyone around you not only helps you, but it also helps others to feel they can be equally as open. When opinions and feelings are shared openly without fear, solutions to problems and strategies to deal with mental health issues are easier to find and implement.

#8 – Feedback

The work environment should be one big feedback loop. Not only does this help to find and solve problems, but it also makes everyone feel part of a team and that their opinions and thoughts are valued, which, in turn, can have a positive effect on mental health and workplace performance.

#9 – Be Aware

When talking to colleagues, think about what you say and how you say it. Educate yourself on mental health terminology and try to put yourself in other's shoes to understand the impact of your words and actions.

#10 – Coping Skills

A productive workplace is one that copes with pressure, stress, and anxiety effectively; therefore, providing colleagues with the skills to deal with negative feelings in the workplace is one way to not only make them feel better but also improve productivity.

Lee Chambers is a psychologist, accredited coach and founder of Essentialise Workplace Wellbeing.

Latest news

1

Preston frozen dough brand has new celebrity shareholders Ant and Dec and Amy and Chris Cheadle

Preston frozen dough brand has new celebrity shareholders

18 Jul 2025

2

Wellbeing focused co-working space with its own pub in Burnley gets ready for launch Dave Scholes and Malcolm Ireland

Wellbeing focused co-working space with its own pub in Burnley gets ready for launch

18 Jul 2025

3

UK's pioneering Combat Air Flying Demonstrator is revealed Flying Combat Air Demonstrator

UK's pioneering Combat Air Flying Demonstrator is revealed

17 Jul 2025

4

A fresh brew for The Printed Cup Company The Printed Cup Company

A fresh brew for The Printed Cup Company

17 Jul 2025

5

Joe Diston from Beever and Struthers appointed to new Global IFRS leader for HLB International Joe Diston

Joe Diston from Beever and Struthers appointed to new Global IFRS leader for HLB International

17 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th
Navy--Event Tile.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
14 Aug 2025 - 14 Aug 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (24).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
21 Aug 2025 - 21 Aug 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Morecambe Bay Walk
Walk.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
30 Aug 2025 - 30 Aug 2025

Morecambe Bay Walk

Arnside, CARNFORTH, LA5

09:30 - 14:00

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

North West Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880456273-4862066883-1-original.20241022-105445.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Oct 2025

North West Business Expo 2025

Bolton Stadium Hotel, Bolton, BL6 6SF

09:00 - 15:00

Lancashire Business Day 2025
241122lbvlancashiredaylhp0647web
Networking
27 Nov 2025

Lancashire Business Day 2025

Burnley FC , Burnley, BB10 4BX

12:00 - 17:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin