At Stribe, we believe employee mental health deserves exactly the same attention as physical health – no asterisks, no caveats.
The truth is, mental health challenges touch all of us: in our families, our friendships, our communities, and yes, our workplaces. Nobody is immune.
And right now, the data tells us that things are getting more urgent, not less.
The good news? Employers have a genuine opportunity to make a real difference, and this guide is here to help you do exactly that.
In this guide
Includes:
2 x Talk posters
1 x Mental health at work questionnaire
1 x Employee mental wellbeing eBook
1 x List of UK support resources
In the UK, 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in any given year (Mind UK).
When you factor in that most of us spend a third of our waking hours at work, it quickly becomes clear: the workplace isn’t separate from mental health. It’s one of the biggest influencing factors.
And the latest figures make this even harder to ignore.
In 2024/25, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reported that almost one million workers – 964,000 – suffered from work-related stress, depression or anxiety.
By openly addressing mental health at work, you create an environment that encourages early intervention, reduces stigma, and gives people the resources they actually need. That’s better for your people, and better for your organisation.
The Employee Mental Health Expectation Gap refers to the disparity between employees’ expectations for mental health support in the workplace and what their employers actually provide.
It highlights the need for organisations to align with employees’ growing expectations regarding mental health initiatives, such as access to counselling, stress reduction programs, and supportive workplace cultures.
Addressing this gap is crucial for creating and sustaining a mentally healthy and engaged workforce.
Several factors can affect mental health at work.
While it’s challenging to rank them definitively, here are significant and widely-know causes that can impact mental health in the workplace.
Excessive workloads, unrealistic deadlines, and high job demands can lead to stress, burnout, and anxiety among employees. Feeling overwhelmed is one of the leading reasons that lead to work negatively impacting mental wellbeing.
Poor workplace relationships, conflicts with colleagues or superiors, and a lack of social support can contribute to feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression.
An imbalance between work and personal life, including long working hours and insufficient time for rest and relaxation, can take a toll on mental health. Striking a healthy work-life balance is crucial for overall wellbeing.
Fear of job loss, unstable employment conditions, and economic uncertainty can lead to chronic stress and anxiety. Employees who feel insecure about their job stability may experience financial wellbeing.
Employees who feel they have little control over their work or decision-making processes may experience reduced job satisfaction and increased stress. Autonomy and a sense of control is a huge factor when it comes to being mentally healthy at work.
Poor communication within an organisation, including a lack of feedback and recognition, can contribute to feelings of disengagement and low morale.
What’s also important to understand is that these factors can interact with each other and vary from person to person.
Additionally, organisational culture, management practices, and the overall work environment play significant roles in shaping these factors’ impact on mental health.
As an employer, you should proactively address these issues to promote a mentally healthy workplace.
Recognising the signs of mental distress at work isn’t always straightforward.
It’s important to understand that the signs can vary widely between each person, and some individuals may mask their distress well.
Many people find it difficult to talk about mental health.
When in doubt, it’s a good practice for colleagues and managers to approach the individual with care, empathy, and offer support.
Encouraging open and non-judgmental communication can be instrumental in helping someone who may be experiencing mental health distress.
Significant changes in behaviour, such as increased irritability, mood swings, or withdrawal from social interactions, can be indicators of mental health distress.
A noticeable decline in someone’s work performance, missed deadlines, or reduced attention to tasks may be a sign of mental wellbeing challenges.
Frequent or unexplained absences from work, along with a higher rate of sick days, can be a sign that someone is struggling with their mental health.
Complaints like headaches, fatigue or generally feeling unwell can sometimes be linked to stress.
If an employee becomes increasingly isolated, avoids team activities, or withdraws from social events, it may be a sign of mental distress.
Struggling to focus, make decisions, or remember tasks can sometimes be related to anxiety or depression.
The best way to support your employees with their mental wellbeing is to have a mental health policy in place.
According to the CIPD, this includes having a clear statement that shows your organisation’s commitment to wellbeing support for your staff.
It should be championed by all senior staff and managers, and regularly reviewed for improvement.
It’s difficult for many of us to discuss our struggles.
The first step in helping your employee’s feel supported is to create a culture based on trust and open communication.
You can achieve this a number of ways – one of which is normalising talking about mental wellbeing with awareness training.
Organise workshops for employees and managers to increase their understanding of common mental health conditions, misconceptions, spotting the signs, and destigmatisation
Employee mental health surveys provide a platform for staff to anonymously express their thoughts, concerns, and feedback around wellbeing.
By actively listening to employees via surveys, you will gather authentic feedback and identify areas of improvement, gain insights into specific challenges, and be able to adapt mental health initiatives to address your employees’ needs effectively.
This approach builds a culture of transparency and trust, which also allows you to implement compassionate interventions.
Mental health should be treated with as much importance as physical health; and so if an employee doesn’t feel mentally fit to show up to work, they should be able to convey this honestly to their workplace without judgement.
Mental health days are becoming more and more prevalent in today’s workforces – an important step towards breaking down stigma and creating healthier workplaces.
By simply acknowledging the importance of mental health days, you will send a clear message that you prioritise mental wellbeing.
The importance of mental health support has gained significant recognition in recent years.
With a growing emphasis on destigmatising mental health issues and providing accessible resources, the UK offers a range of support networks and services for individuals and organisations seeking assistance and guidance on their mental wellbeing journey.
A list of organisations and charities that can provide hotlines, helpful resources, advice, and expert information:
About the author
Starting out her early career as a journalist, Jade Madeley is an accomplished content writer with 8+ years’ experience across business, personal finance, SaaS, human resources and employee engagement. Working with Stribe, she crafts insightful content that brings complex HR topics to life and drives meaningful action.
