World Mental Health Day
10th October 2024
Today we recognise World Mental Health Day, a global initiative aimed at raising awareness of mental health issues and advocating for better mental health support. This year’s theme, “It’s time to prioritise mental health in the workplace,” is a timely reminder for business owners and leaders of the crucial role that they play in fostering a mentally healthy environment.

In the fast-paced, competitive world of modern business, it’s easy to focus on targets, profits, and productivity, but the well-being of your employees — particularly your managers — must be considered a top priority. Managers are often the linchpins of your organisation, balancing the pressures of performance while supporting their teams. Yet, they’re frequently overlooked when it comes to their mental health. As a leader, you have the power to change this, and one highly effective approach is through Mental Fitness Coaching.
Why Focus on Managers?
Managers are the bridge between upper leadership and the wider team. They’re expected to drive business outcomes, resolve conflicts, and keep morale high — all while dealing with their pressures and personal challenges. This "sandwich" role means they’re often under constant stress, and without the right support, this can lead to burnout, anxiety, or depression.
The mental health of managers has a direct impact on business performance. A mentally fit manager can inspire and motivate, ensuring their team is engaged, productive, and loyal. On the flip side, a manager struggling with their mental health is likely to be less effective, impacting not only their performance but also that of their team.
The Role of Business Leaders in Supporting Mental Health:
As a business owner or senior leader, you should lead by example and create a workplace culture where mental health is prioritised and supported. Here are several steps you can take to foster a mentally healthy work environment:
Promote Open Communication
Create an environment where employees and managers feel safe discussing their mental health concerns. Normalising conversations around mental well-being will reduce the stigma often associated with these issues. Regular one-to-one meetings where managers can express their challenges or feelings can be invaluable support.
Introduce Mental Fitness Coaching
Mental Fitness Coaching is an effective and proactive approach to supporting mental health in the workplace. Much like physical fitness, mental fitness helps individuals build resilience, manage stress, and maintain emotional balance. By offering managers access to a professional Mental Fitness Coach, you’re not only providing them with a safe space to talk but also giving them tools to strengthen their mental agility. Coaches can guide managers in developing strategies to handle pressure, improve decision-making, and maintain a work-life balance.
Offer Flexible Working Conditions
Flexibility is a key factor in reducing work-related stress. Allowing managers to have flexible work hours or the option to work from home can make a huge difference to their mental health. Flexibility empowers managers to manage their workload and personal commitments more effectively, reducing burnout.
Encourage Regular Breaks and Downtime
Ensure that managers feel encouraged to take breaks throughout the day and use their holiday entitlement. Taking time away from the desk can help reset their minds and increase productivity. Discourage a culture of presenteeism, where employees feel the need to be constantly working even when it may not be in their best interests.
Provide Mental Health Training
Equip managers with the knowledge and skills to manage their own mental health and support their teams. Mental health training can help them recognise early signs of burnout, stress, or depression in themselves and others. Mental Health First Aid courses are a great tool, providing practical guidance on how to offer initial support.
Review Workloads and Expectations
Assess whether the workloads and expectations placed on managers are realistic. Unrealistic demands contribute significantly to stress and anxiety. Ensure that managers have the resources and support they need to meet business goals without compromising their health.
The Benefits of Prioritising Mental Health in Your Organisation:
Taking action to support your managers’ mental health isn’t just a moral responsibility — it makes business sense too. Organisations that invest in mental well-being see improved productivity, reduced absenteeism, and greater employee retention. In fact, studies have shown that for every £1 spent on mental health interventions, businesses see a return of £5 through improved productivity and reduced turnover.
Moreover, a mentally fit manager is a more effective leader, capable of inspiring their teams to thrive. When managers feel supported and mentally strong, they are better equipped to handle the day-to-day stresses of their role, improving their performance and driving your business forward.
Introducing Mental Fitness Coaching into Your Workplace:
Implementing Mental Fitness Coaching in your workplace can be a game-changer. By focusing on building resilience, improving emotional intelligence, and developing stress management techniques, coaching empowers managers to handle the challenges of leadership with clarity and confidence. Mental fitness is about developing the capacity to handle change, bounce back from setbacks, and maintain a positive mindset, even in challenging circumstances.
To successfully introduce coaching, consider partnering with qualified mental fitness coaches who can offer one-to-one sessions, group workshops, or even digital coaching solutions. This investment in your managers’ mental health will not only benefit them personally but will lead to stronger leadership and a more engaged workforce.
Final Thoughts:
This World Mental Health Day, take a moment to reflect on the mental health of the managers within your company. They are at the core of your business operations, and their well-being should be treated with the same importance as their job performance. By embracing Mental Fitness Coaching and fostering a culture that prioritises mental health, you will create a workplace where managers — and in turn, your business — can truly thrive.
The time to act is now. Prioritising mental health in the workplace is not only the right thing to do, but it will also lay the foundation for a more productive, resilient, and successful organisation.
Our mission is to bring success and harmony to every leader in the world - Contact us to discuss how our mental fitness coaching can do this for you and your team today!
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