Commissioned by Plymouth City Council to deliver services to businesses and communities in Plymouth or to those businesses with over 50% of their employees having a Plymouth postcode.

What Workplaces can do to Support Mental Health and Reduce Burnout

Today, on the 10th of October, we are observing World Mental Health Day. This global campaign aims to raise awareness about mental health, reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness, and encourage people to come together to connect, learn, act and take notice of mental health issues. This year’s theme prioritises mental health in the workplace, particularly addressing stress and burnout.

Burnout is not a sudden issue; it gradually takes hold without our full awareness. It not only impacts individual wellbeing but also has far-reaching consequences for organisations. World Mental Health Day is crucial in improving our understanding of mental health and positively changing our workplaces – read the latest Burnout Report Jan 2024 here.

To gain insights, we spoke with our Wellbeing Trainers, Warwick Smith, RNA, Health Improvement Practitioner, and Nita Dodd, RMN, Advanced Health Improvement Practitioner. They conduct our Wellbeing Training, which covers mental health, including Mental Health First Aid Training and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training.

We asked Warwick and Nita about the actions that organisations could take, big or small, to create a positive impact on the overall mental wellbeing of their employees within the workplace.

Our team often utilises the well-known “five ways to wellbeing” model, referred to as CLANG, which stands for Connect, Learn, Activity, Notice, and Give. This comprehensive model supports wellbeing when all components are combined.

For World Mental Health Day, we can use this acronym to promote better mental health and comprehensive wellbeing in our workplace. These initiatives can range from small steps to major changes.

Connect: This could be as simple as regularly checking in with colleagues, especially those working in a hybrid setup, as well as those working face-to-face. It is important to genuinely and compassionately inquire about their wellbeing, workload management, and any stressors they may be dealing with. Actively listening and providing support can prevent issues from escalating.

Learn: Employers could use this opportunity to study the impact of absenteeism and presenteeism on lost workdays and the financial implications related to poor mental health and wellbeing. They could make gradual changes in their workplace through policies and cultural shifts. This is also a great chance for workplaces to raise awareness and emphasise that mental health is just as important as physical health. Understanding how our mental health affects us and being able to have open conversations about it will change our perceptions of mental health and its importance.

Activity: Increased physical activity has a positive impact on both mental health and physical wellbeing. When a team focuses on physical activity, it can motivate and inspire individuals, boosting overall wellbeing. It’s important to be aware that if we are physically unwell, it can affect our mental health as we try to adapt to long-term or life-changing conditions. When we struggle with our mental health, we may neglect our physical health in terms of what we eat and how active we are, possibly due to low mood, which affects our energy levels and motivation to do the things we usually enjoy. Being understanding of individual needs with activity will ensure that inclusivity and accessibility are upheld.

Notice: It’s crucial to recognise when something is wrong, both for our wellbeing and that of others. Taking action at an early stage can minimise the impact on our lives and the lives of those around us.

Give: Lastly, creating an environment where complete wellbeing is a priority, both within and beyond our workspaces, fosters emotional support for our coworkers.

Use today to make a start on your organisation’s mental wellbeing, small steps can make big changes!

Not sure where to get started? Why not speak with us about our free wellbeing at work programmes? Commissioned by Plymouth City Council, we provide three programmes to businesses and communities in Plymouth – Wellbeing at Work Awards, Wellbeing Champions and Wellbeing Training. Here to provide you with the support and tools to improve the health and wellbeing of your staff, organisation and communities within Plymouth.