HR Insights • 9 MIN READ
How to Support Mental Health at Work
APR 16, 2026
Mental health at work is a business issue as much as a personal one. Here is what HR and line managers can do to create a supportive environment.
The scale of the challenge
Mental health conditions are among the leading causes of long-term absence in most developed economies. In the UK, MIND estimates that one in four people will experience a mental health problem in any given year. The cost to employers includes lost productivity, increased absence, higher turnover, and the direct cost of occupational health support. Beyond the financial case, organisations have a moral responsibility to avoid causing harm and to support employees who are struggling.
Create an open culture
The most important thing an organisation can do is create an environment where mental health can be discussed openly without stigma. This starts with leaders sharing their own experiences (where they are comfortable doing so), normalising conversations about stress and workload, and ensuring that employees who disclose mental health struggles receive support rather than judgment. Training for all managers on how to have sensitive conversations is essential.
Practical support mechanisms
Ensure employees know about the support available to them: Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) providing free, confidential counselling; Mental Health First Aiders trained to listen and signpost; occupational health referrals for complex cases; and flexible working adjustments for employees managing a mental health condition. Make this information visible, not buried in a policy document.
Manager capability is the key lever
Line managers are the first responders to mental health challenges in the workplace. They are most likely to notice a change in an employee's behaviour, productivity, or attendance. Yet many managers feel ill-equipped to have mental health conversations. Invest in training that gives managers the confidence to notice, approach, and support employees who may be struggling, and remove the expectation that they must diagnose or treat conditions themselves.
