Thursday the 10th October marks World Mental Health Day, and this year the focus is on the workplace. It serves as a reminder for businesses to assess their mental health strategies and ensure they are supporting their teams effectively, creating a safe environment for people to share their struggles.
For HR managers and L&D professionals, this time of year presents an opportunity to launch or renew mental health initiatives, or introduce mental health courses and training sessions, opening up vital conversations that can improve employee wellbeing, especially as we head into the winter and festive season.
We've all heard the term "leave it at the door", but the reality is that mental health is not just a personal issue—it affects the workplace too. For businesses, there's a growing need to foster an environment that supports mental health and wellbeing which is essential for both employees and the organisation’s success.
The Importance of Mental Health in the Workplace
Many recent studies and reports show that stress, burnout and anxiety are on the rise in the UK. Increasing workloads, pressure to meet deadlines, and the growing complexity of the modern workplace post-pandemic, combined with a cost-of-living crisis and global events, can all have a negative impact on our wellbeing.
A 2024 report from Deloitte found that poor mental health has cost UK employers up to £51bn in absenteeism, presenteeism, and staff turnover, a stat which has risen from £45bn in 2019. A study from Spill found that around 828,000 employees suffer from work-related stress, depression or anxiety every single year.
The COVID-19 pandemic and Cost of Living crisis have only exacerbated the problem, with isolation, job insecurity, rising costs and work-from-home challenges pushing more employees into stress and burnout. Spill goes on to say that 55% of people who experience depression say that their job is a contributing factor.
Causes of Workplace Stress and Mental Health Issues
Understanding the root causes of stress and mental health problems in the workplace is crucial to addressing them. Some of the most common factors include:
Why Mental Health Awareness Policies and Training are Important
For Learning and Development managers and HR professionals, the responsibility to support employees' mental health falls on creating a supportive and inclusive workplace culture. But having the right policies in place is only half the battle—there needs to be active engagement and ongoing education.
This is where mental health training and awareness come in. By offering education and resources on topics like stress management, anxiety, and mental health conversations, organisations can empower their employees and managers to identify the early signs of stress or mental health struggles and respond appropriately.
Microlearning for Mental Health and Wellbeing
For business owners, investing in mental health is not just about being a compassionate employer—it's about business sustainability. High levels of stress and poor mental health can lead to decreased productivity, higher absenteeism, and increased employee turnover. Organisations that foster a mentally healthy workplace enjoy lower staff turnover, increased productivity, and enhanced employee engagement.
In fact, the Mental Health Foundation reports that for every £1 invested in workplace mental health, businesses can see a return of £5 due to reduced presenteeism and absenteeism.
By offering relevant training through platforms like Peritus Learning’s Microlearning Library, businesses can build a more resilient workforce, reduce the stigma around mental health, and cultivate a culture of support and psychological safety.
Our Microlearning Library contains over 140 courses, several of which are focused on mental health and wellbeing. These bite-sized courses, ranging from 3 to 13 minutes in length, provide the flexibility and accessibility that today’s busy workplaces require. The following are some of the most relevant courses:
These courses are designed to provide quick but effective learning moments that can be easily incorporated into the workday, making it easier for HR professionals and managers to offer continuous education on these critical topics. It's important to combine these sorts of educational strategies and resources with management and leadership training, the right workplace benefits, flexibility, and time off, and culture change to ensure effectiveness.
Download the full list of courses in the Microlearning Library.
Conclusion
Mental health and wellbeing should be an integral part of any organisation’s strategy all year round, but World Mental Health Day is a good time to start or refresh your policies and check in with your teams.
By investing in your people and their mental health, you'll be investing in the future success of your business too.
Are you, or someone you know, in crisis?
If you, or someone you know, are struggling with mental health, please reach out. Here are a few resources you might find useful:
Further Learning: