Workplace mental health, keep the conversation going

October is Mental Health Month, with World Mental Health Day falling on the 10th. After R U OK? Day in September, you might be feeling the pressure to host another morning tea or team activity. While bringing your team together for awareness days and creating opportunities to connect is great, you don’t always have to host big events or roll out new programs.

At the end of the day, it’s not just cupcakes (or even cupcakes at all!) that make a mentally healthy workplace. What really matters are the small, consistent actions you take throughout the year that make a safe space and support your team’s wellbeing. So yes, use these months to kickstart a conversation, but remember—mental health is a year-round focus, not just a topic for a morning tea in September and October.

As a business owner or workplace leader it can be tricky to know how to broach the topic of mental health. You might worry about saying the wrong thing, opening up difficult topics or your actions being perceived as tokenistic if standalone. But here’s the truth: you don’t need to have all the answers, and you're not expected to ‘solve’ mental health. If you’re wondering where to start, we’ve put together some simple, everyday ways to support mental health and wellbeing for your workplace or team.

Small, ongoing actions

Manage stress by leading the way: Work stress can’t always be avoided, but during those busy periods, the smallest gestures make a big difference. Encourage your team to take their full lunch breaks, switch off on time, and better yet - make sure you’re modelling that behaviour too!

Make time to connect: We’re big fans of regular 1:1s. In addition to focusing on work, they can provide an opportunity for your team members to share anything that might be going on for them. At the end of the day, we’re all human, and how we’re feeling can impact how we show up at work. These meetings don’t always have to be formal. You could mix it up by heading to a local café for a quick chat—sometimes a more relaxed setting helps someone open up. You don’t have to save it for a 1:1 either. Make it a habit to check in with your team regularly. Ask how they’re doing, if they need support, and genuinely listen.

Flexibility and understanding: Life happens outside of work and life stress doesn’t stop at the office door. Whether it’s flexible hours, short-term remote work options, or just being understanding when something pops up, showing that you trust and support your team to balance work and personal responsibilities goes a long way for mental health. Encourage people to take personal leave when needed, so they can handle personal matters without having to worry about work.

Authenticity and vulnerability: You don’t have to be invincible as a leader. When appropriate, being open about your own challenges from time to time can actually bring your team closer. This level of vulnerability sets a tone that it's okay for everyone to speak up when they need support.

Other ways to invest

1. If you offer an Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) October is a great time to remind your team about the mental wellbeing support you already have in place and remind your team how to access it for free, confidential support—whether it’s for personal or work-related matters. If you don’t have an EAP but are considering one, reach out to us, and we can point you in the right direction. There are a variety of providers to suit different needs including some that offer minimal upfront payment with PAYG options to suit a range of budgets.

2. Organising Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training for members of your team is another specific way to show your investment in creating a mentally health workplace and providing support for both those who might be asking and answering the R U OK? questions.

If you're struggling to find time to organise meaningful team activities or put ongoing wellbeing initiatives in place, you could consider getting some extra help. Our team regularly supports our clients by putting together plans that support healthy workplace environments and create great team cultures. Get in touch if you'd like to know how we can take a few of these things off your plate.

Keep the momentum going

Remember, Mental Health Month is a great way to kickstart these conversations, but the goal is to create a workplace where mental health is part of the ongoing culture, not just reserved for one or two months a year.