Workplaces should be environments where workers’ physical and mental health is valued and supported.
This applies whether you are in the same physical space or people are working from home.
Benefits of supporting mental health
Supporting the mental health of your workers can result in
- better engagement and customer relationships
- fewer days lost to sickness and absence
- lower staff turnover and recruitment costs
- access to a wider pool of applicants for posts
Evidence shows that there are many simple, cost-effective ways to support and encourage a mentally healthy workplace.
What the evidence tells us
Research reports from Deloitte, the Mental Health Foundation and The Health Foundation analyse the cost of poor mental health to the economy and to employers and highlight the benefits of investing in positive mental health and wellbeing.
- The economic case for investing in Prevention - Mental Health Foundation (PDF)
- Mental health statistics at work- Mental Health Foundation
- 2022: The case for investment – pandemic and beyond – Deloitte (PDF)
- 2017: Mental health and employers: The case for investment – Deloitte
- Mental health and employers: The case for employers to invest in supporting working parents and a mentally health workplace | Deloitte UK
- Young People's Mental Health in the Workplace - The Health Foundation (PDF)
"I believe in the importance of having mentally healthy workplaces. We all have a responsibility to have more open dialogue about it and break down the barriers to help and stereotypes about mental health."
- 2021 survey respondent
Industry reports also present evidence of the impact of poor mental health at work, and provide practical steps for improving mental health in the workplace.
- Keep mental health front of mind - CBI report 2021 (PDF)
- Mental health at work 2019: Time to take ownership - BITC
- What if your job was good for you? BITC report 2021 (PDF)
- Health and wellbeing at work 2021: Survey report – CIPD (PDF)
Fair Work
Adhering to the Fair Work framework can mean workers feel secure, respected and listened to, which helps their mental health to flourish.These factors can help alleviate uncertainty, anxiety, and stress, helping to support workers' positive mental health and wellbeing.
Effective voice:When your workers have appropriate channels for an effective voice, their voice is listened to and acted upon.
Security: Having secure contracts, working hours, and pay brings your workers certainty. Enabling people to earn a fair wage can make a material difference and means they have greater access to opportunities.
Opportunity: The right attitudes, behaviours and policies should reflect workers’ value and give them equal chances to progress their career. Promoting and supporting mentally healthy workplaces where mental health and wellbeing is meaningfully discussed can reduce stigma and discrimination.
Respect: Respecting others is everyone’s business and at its most basic involves ensuring the mental health, safety and wellbeing of others.
Fulfilment: Giving people engaging work, and investing in learning, contributes to confidence and self-belief.
How can I create a mentally healthy workplace?
The most important thing you can do to support your workers’ mental health is by creating a culture where open and honest discussion about mental health issues is supported.
Case studies
There are a lot of different ways to realise the benefits of a mentally healthy workplace.
