Established to foster crucial conversations about mental health, this year’s World Mental Health Day shifts the focus to workplace mental health – an area that has seen increasing attention in recent years.

The benefits of investing in workplace mental health support are undeniable, with returns between five to eight times the initial investment, thanks to improved engagement, reduced absenteeism, and greater loyalty and productivity. Despite this, many companies still treat mental health as a luxury rather than a necessity.

In the UK, a growing mental health crisis is prompting more attention from businesses, but often in a negative sense, with concerns focused on absenteeism. Changing this perspective to highlight the benefits of safeguarding employees’ mental wellbeing can be transformative in embedding a mental health-friendly culture.

Nathan Shearman, director of therapy and training at Red Umbrella, points out: “Working in high-pressure environments and meeting multiple deadlines often means mental health gets sidelined, but ironically, providing support makes those situations more manageable.”

Shearman also stresses the limitations of token measures: “Investing in Mental Health First Aid training or an Employee Assistance Programme may look good on paper, but that alone won’t move the needle on mental health culture. Business leaders likely won’t see benefits unless there is a deeper cultural shift.”

“It’s important to review where a business is on its mental health journey – evaluating current support systems, their effectiveness, what might be missing, and how staff feel,” he continues. “Every company has unique needs, diverse teams, and different ways of working, so a personalised approach is indispensable. Everyone has a role in shaping this culture.”

An increasing number of businesses are appointing mental health first aiders to support colleagues in times of need. These individuals play a pivotal role in creating a culture where mental health is prioritised, and it is crucial that the right people are chosen and properly trained for these roles.

“Once a business has a clear vision for its mental health culture, it depends on those within the organisation who hold the most influence to implement it,” Shearman notes. “These are the people who should be trained as mental health first aiders because they can shape the culture and support HR and management during crises. But it’s essential that they are also supported in their roles.”

Breaking the stigma surrounding mental health is a commonly heard phrase, and doing so is key to embedding its importance within an organisation. If companies want to see improved productivity, fewer absences, and a real return on investment from mental health initiatives, eliminating stigma is non-negotiable.

“Employees need to feel it’s safe to speak up when they’re struggling and know that support is in place. They need to know they are valued, and their mental health is, too,” Shearman adds.

“This isn’t a one-off effort. Like a garden, mental health culture needs periodic attention and nurturing to keep growing. Responsibility lies with everyone – from the ground floor employee to the CEO – ensuring that everyone is aligned on this essential issue.”