Breakthrough The Barriers: Mental Wellbeing Look Down In A Workplace
Workplaces are changing fast. With growing competition, there is a lot of pressure on employees to do well. Many people deal with tight deadlines, long working hours, and high expectations. This often leads to stress, anxiety, and burnout.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says that 60% of the world’s population is working. This means it’s very important for people to work in a safe and healthy environment, both physically and mentally. In today’s busy world, it’s time we start talking more about mental health at work. For some, work brings purpose and joy. But if mental health is not taken seriously, work can also become a major cause of stress.
In this blog, we will talk about mental health in the workplace. Why is it important? Can it really make a difference in our daily lives? By the end, we hope you’ll gain a fresh perspective on the role mental well-being plays in shaping not just our careers, but our overall quality of life.
Celebrating May
May is celebrated as Mental Health Awareness Month. It is time to focus on how we feel inside, not just physically, but emotionally and mentally too. It's a month that reminds us that mental health is important for everyone, no matter their age, job, or background. Just like we go to the doctor when we're sick, it's okay to ask for help when our minds feel tired, stressed, or overwhelmed.
This month is also about breaking the stigma. Many people are still afraid to talk about their struggles because they think others will judge them. Mental Health Awareness Month encourages open and honest conversations. It helps us understand that mental health challenges are common. It is nothing to be ashamed of. Talking about it makes others feel seen and supported.
Workplaces have a big part to play in this. Since most adults spend a lot of their time at work, their workplace must support mental well-being. During May, companies can start small by setting up safe spaces where people can open up their hearts. They can share tips or offer mental health resources. It’s a chance to build a healthier, kinder, and more understanding work culture. An environment that values people’s well-being every day of the year.
Silent CRY: Mental health in the workplace
Many people go through mental health challenges while trying to do their jobs every day. They may feel stressed, overwhelmed, or even depressed. Yet, they often keep these feelings to themselves. They might smile through meetings or finish tasks on time, all while struggling inside. This is what we call the “silent cry or struggle.” It happens when people don’t talk about their mental health as they’re afraid of how others might react.
Image 5: A person dealing with stress but chose not to speak, you can show this mby putting a cross on his mouth or he is covering his mouth through his hands and a cloud near his mind showing how much he is struggling.
Image 6: a picture where a manager and employee are talking
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression and anxiety cost the global economy around $1 trillion each year in lost work and low productivity. That’s a huge number. But what’s even more concerning is how many people choose not to speak up or seek help. In many workplaces, mental health is still seen as a private or even "weak" issue. This kind of thinking creates fear and shame, which makes it harder for people to open up.
Some employees are afraid they might be judged, treated unfairly, or even lose their jobs if they talk about their mental health. Due to this, they stay quiet and keep struggling on their own. But hiding the problem doesn’t make it go away—it can make things worse. That’s why it’s so important for workplaces to create a culture where it’s safe to talk about mental health. When employees feel supported and heard, they are more likely to get the help they need and perform better at work.
Why Employers Should Care?
Reading or learning about mental health may give a way to questions such as:
Why should we, as employers should care or pay heed to?
How will it benefit us?
Is it even ideal for us to take time from our building business to address the issue of mental health?
We must tell you that taking care of employees’ mental health in the workplace isn’t just the right thing to do. It’s also good for business. If your employees are mentally well, they might work well and are more likely to stay with the company. Being vigilant of your employees’ well-being ensures a good employee retention rate. If employees are stressed or unhappy, their work might suffer. They might take sick leave or even leave their job.
To ensure employees are motivated and engaged, it becomes essential for employers to create an environment where people feel safe and supported. This even saves the cost spent by the company. Secure spaces minimize the tension and conflicts at work.
How can Employers Support Employee Mental Health?
Promote open communication:
Create a safe and open space. This must start with fostering stigma-free conversations. Talking about mental health openly you can normalize these conversations. As an employer, you can ask your employees about their well-being, such as “How are you holding up with everything going on lately?” If it works with you, you can share your experiences with stress, anxiety, or seeking help. This way, they will feel that they are not alone in this battle. People are more likely to open up when there is a safe space. When someone shares anything with you, thank them for trusting you and don't minimize or question their feelings. Listen to their issues with an open heart. Don't try to fix them until they ask for your advice. Language also plays a key role. Replace judgmental responses with empathetic ones. Don’t say, “You’re overthinking”. Instead, say, “That sounds tough. Is there anything I can do to support you? or I am glad you shared it with me.” Listening to them with all your attention and heart will make them feel heard and valued. Make sure to maintain eye contact with them while having a conversation. Don’t interrupt with assumptions or solutions. Reflect on what you hear. When people feel heard and valued, it reduces their stress and burnout. Safe spaces allow people to feel their emotions freely without the fear of being judged.
Set boundaries:
Setting and respecting boundaries helps to create a workplace where people can perform well without sacrificing their mental as well as emotional well-being. The workplace where the lines between work and personal life are blurred leads to stress and even reduces productivity over time. Without clear work-life boundaries, employees may feel pressured to be available 24/7. Sometimes, managers reinforce a hustle culture. They reward those who were overavailable. Employers must establish core working hours. They must inform their employees about when they need to be online and when not. Encourage employees to avoid sending non-urgent emails or calls outside work hours. If communication is needed after hours, then tell them whether the response is to be shared immediately or not. Encourage managers to check in on team workload regularly. Encourage team members to block personal or recharge time on their calendars. Employees taking time off to recharge must be celebrated, not silently judged. Boundaries must be set to ensure a healthy work-life balance. You must include these norms in the employee handbook or presentations.
Image 7: work-life balance
Image 8: providing mental health off
Image 9: Help employees
Encourage use of mental health resources:
Promoting the use of mental health support shows that the organization takes employee well-being seriously. Normalize getting help because many people still hesitate to seek help due to stigma around mental illness and the perception that it's not serious enough to seek help. People hold back due to a lack of awareness, distrust, time constraints, or perceived weakness. Employers must ensure that all the mental health offerings are easy to find via the internet, emails, or posters. Send regular reminders. Regularity breaks down the stigma. Provide mental health training to managers so they can recognize signs of distress. Include mental health support as part of performance training. Communicate that seeking support will never impact employment or promotion. You must also emphasize that all mental health services are 100% confidential. Mental health in the workplace coverage must include therapy, psychiatric care, and crisis support. You must offer paid mental health days off. This will inculcate a sense of prioritizing employee mental health alongside physical health.
Be supportive, not intrusive:
The goal is to offer help, not to pry or overstep. Employers' intrusive nature can lead to mistrust, cause employees to hide their struggles, or even lead to legal risks around privacy. If you notice someone seems unwell, express concern, not assumptions. Don’t pressure someone to share details they’re not comfortable with. Avoid sharing employees' mental health with others. Offer information or mental health sources gently. They must not seem demanding. Give the employee the space. Repeated follow-up may feel like surveillance. Be very careful with that. Trust your employees and be available. If performance is being affected, address it. The focus should be on the impact and need, not on the personal cause. Listen without judgment and offer flexibility for time or work, if needed.
What’s Next?
Image 10 - Start the conversation
Image 11- Review your current policies
Image 12- train leaders and managers
Image 13- take small, consistent steps
Image 14- listen to your people
Image 15- Measure and improve continuously
Conclusion
Mental health in the workplace is no longer a personal issue kept behind closed doors. It’s a vital part of a healthy and productive workplace. By acknowledging the impact of mental well-being on performance, collaboration, and employee retention, organizations have an opportunity to lead with empathy and intention. Supporting employee mental health isn’t just about offering resources. It’s about creating a culture of care where people feel safe, heard, and respected. When we normalize conversations, set boundaries, and lead by example, we send a clear message: Your well-being matters here. Building a mentally healthy workplace doesn’t happen overnight. Every small step adds up. Start the c
