Mental health at work: Real talk, real solutions from the Experts
Mental health at work is more commonly spoken about nowadays, which shows how far we’ve come as a society, compared to when topics like depression and anxiety were very “hush hush”.
But talking about it and knowing how to support it are two very different things. That’s why we recently hosted a webinar with our partners at RethinkCare to explore what truly makes a difference when it comes to supporting mental wellbeing in the workplace.
The session, “Mental Health Mastery Strategies for Acute and Long-Term Wellbeing” brought together experts including Dr David Batman, Dr Joseph Frito, and Jen Wilkins. And what they shared went far beyond surface-level advice.
Here are some of the discussion points that really stuck with us.
The numbers aren’t going down
Dr David Batman, who’s spent over 50 years in occupational health, said something that really stood out: 90% of the people he sees in his clinic are dealing with mental health issues. Even with more awareness and investment, we’re still seeing a rise in stress, anxiety, burnout and poor wellbeing.
According to Dr. Batman, the high volume of people dealing with mental health issues is due to: uncertainty, constant change, a lack of trust in institutions, and the sheer volume of bad news we’re all exposed to.
His takeaway? We need to stop thinking of mental health support as an HR initiative and start embedding it into the culture of how we run businesses.
How? Mental health training for Managers is a great place to start.
Stress looks different for everyone
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution.
People experience mental health challenges in very different ways, depending on factors like job pressure, finances, hybrid working, loneliness or family responsibilities.
For organisations, that means stepping back and building frameworks that respond to your people’s actual needs. This includes giving line managers the tools and confidence to have human conversations and spot when someone might need support.
What to do in the moment
Dr Joseph Ferrito offered some practical, straightforward tips for dealing with acute anxiety and stress.
Things like using cold exposure (yes, cold showers), combining breathing exercises with daily habits like brushing your teeth, and just becoming more aware of your physical state when you’re under pressure.
He also spoke about resilience in a way that made sense. Not as some big, unreachable goal but as a series of small actions: focusing on what you can control, acknowledging reality, and staying connected to others.
“A lot of us have forgotten how to connect with ourselves. Try reversing the question and asking, “How am I? How am I really, today?”, and actually having that internal conversation can turn things around an awful lot.”– Dr. David Batman
Neurodivergent employees need a different kind of support
Jen Wilkens reminded us that for neurodivergent individuals, the workplace can bring added challenges, like masking, sensory overload, or struggling with unstructured environments.
Her message was clear: routines, clear communication, and spaces where people can bring their whole selves to work matter. Employee resource groups and accountability partners can make a huge difference.
Culture matters more than posters
The session came back again and again to one theme: psychological safety.
If people don’t feel safe speaking up, it doesn’t matter how many resources are available.
This must come from the top. Leaders who model empathy, openness and genuine care create the conditions where wellbeing can thrive.
That doesn’t mean having all the answers; it means creating space for conversations to happen.
Final thoughts
No wellbeing programme works overnight.
Improvements in productivity, engagement, and long-term health take time. But with the right mindset, and by partnering with experts who understand what’s needed, businesses can make a real impact.
If you’re responsible for people – or care about creating a healthier workplace – it’s worth a watch.
Watch the webinar replay
Catch the full recording of Mental Health Mastery Strategies for Acute and Long-Term Wellbeing now.