Mental Health Awareness at WorkMental Health Awareness Week 2025 – Fostering Positive Working Communities

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week here in the UK.

Since 2001, The Mental Health Foundation has been championing Mental Health awareness in the UK and this year is no different.

The theme for this year is ‘Communities’, relating to the importance and power which a community has in affecting our mental health.

“Communities can provide us with a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and give us purpose”.

They also report that:

“People who are more socially connected to family, friends or their community are happier, physically healthier, and live longer, with fewer mental health problems than people who are less connected”. Mental Health Foundation

Mental Health Awareness in the Workplace

It is a well-known fact that work-life balance, stress levels and workplace culture affect mental health.

In 2022/23, the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) research found that an estimated 17.1 million working days were lost due to work-related stress, depression, or anxiety. This is approximately 875,000 workers with a Deloitte report estimating the cost to employers to be between £42 – £45 billion, annually.

This means that as employers, we have a responsibility to maintain positive working environments which positively impact people’s working lives. Not just for the impact it has on staff, but also for the potential impact this can have on the business itself.

In fact Ibid’s research finds that there is an positive return on every £1 invested into mental health interventions in the workplace (of approximately £5).

As employers what can we do?

EAP Services

An Employee Assistance Programme or EAP is a confidential support for mental health, stress, anxiety and other personal issues. Sometimes employees will not want to share their feelings with their own team due to things like fear of stigmatism or workplace judgement. This gives them an unbiased ear for them to talk too.

Not only is this great for employees, but early intervention can prevent escalation, effecting absenteeism (staff absences) and presenteeism (staff present but not performing).

Encouragement of breaks

A recent Harvard Business Review reports that “alarmingly, both high burnout and low engagement rates are associated with hindered performance.” And that “counter to the popular narrative of working long work hours, our research suggests that taking breaks within working hours not only does not detract from performance but can help boost it.

Community and team building and a supportive culture

Building a strong community within the workplace can have a positive impact on several things.

Feeling part of a team reduces feelings of isolation and loneliness, which are contributors to anxiety and depression. Improved moods and happiness as a result of social connection are an important factor in workplace culture. This increases resilience and contributes to a more efficient and effective team.

Our Team’s Thoughts

One of our Underwriting Assistants, Tom, shares his thoughts;

“Raising awareness of mental health in a busy workplace, especially for young professionals is crucial. In a fast-paced environment where deadlines and expectations often outweigh personal well-being, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and isolated. By fostering an open dialogue about mental health, we can create a space where young professionals feel empowered to ask for support without fear of judgment. It’s not just about surviving the workplace but thriving in it—knowing that their well-being matters just as much as their performance.”

He continues to explain;

“In everyday life, mental health awareness is just as important. Whether we’re juggling family, friendships, or personal goals, the pressures can sometimes feel like a lot to handle. When we make mental health a priority—talking about it openly and without shame—it creates a culture where people feel they can ask for help when they need it and aren’t forced to carry burdens alone. Just like physical health, our mental well-being needs attention, care, and understanding. Only then can we navigate life with a sense of balance and resilience.”