World Mental Health Day takes place on 10th October, providing an important opportunity to talk about mental health, challenge stigma and consider how we can better support ourselves and those around us, including in the workplace.
The theme for World Mental Health Day 2026 is “Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change.” This year, the focus is on recognising the knowledge and expertise that comes from lived experience and ensuring those voices don’t just get heard, but help to shape decisions and support.
Creating a mentally healthy workplace isn’t simply about having policies and initiatives in place. It’s also about listening to employees, understanding their different experiences and creating an environment where people feel comfortable speaking up about what they need.
Five ways to support mental health in your workplace
1. Start the conversation and listen
Making space for open, supportive conversations can help employers understand what’s working well and where things could improve. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has a free Talking Toolkit to help managers have conversations with employees about work-related stress and identify potential causes.
2. Create a Wellness Action Plan
Everyone’s experience of mental health is different, so the support that helps one person may not be right for another. Mind’s Wellness Action Plans are free, practical tools that can help employees consider what supports their mental health at work, what may affect their wellbeing and what their manager could do to help. There are versions for people working on-site, remotely or in hybrid roles, as well as guidance for managers.
3. Understand reasonable adjustments
Listening is important, but the next step is considering what practical action can be taken. Acas provides free guidance on reasonable adjustments for mental health. Adjustments could include changes to working patterns or responsibilities, providing a quieter working environment or arranging more regular check-ins.
4. Consider Mental Health First Aid training
Just as workplaces have people trained in physical first aid, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training can help colleagues develop the knowledge and confidence to recognise when somebody may be experiencing poor mental health, start a supportive conversation and signpost them towards appropriate help. Mental Health First Aid England offers a range of workplace training options, from introductory awareness sessions through to more comprehensive Mental Health First Aider training.
5. Make support easy to find
Think about whether everyone in your organisation knows where they can go if they need help. If you have an Employee Assistance Programme, Occupational Health service, Mental Health First Aiders or other wellbeing support, make sure employees regularly hear about what’s available and know how to access it. You could create a dedicated space on your intranet or noticeboard, include information in staff communications or simply make talking about the support available part of regular team conversations.
From listening to action
This year’s World Mental Health Day theme is a reminder that listening is only the beginning. The World Health Organization is encouraging organisations to recognise lived experience as a valuable form of expertise and to involve people meaningfully in the decisions that affect them. For workplaces, that could mean asking employees what would genuinely support their mental health, involving them when developing wellbeing initiatives and being prepared to act on what they tell you.