World Mental Health Day (10 October) was created by the World Foundation of Mental Health to raise awareness of, and drive positive change for, everyone’s mental health. ‘It’s also a chance to talk about mental health, how we need to look after it, and how important it is to get help if you are struggling.’

We agree.

• Find out more about World Mental Health Day and why it’s important. 
• Download free resources: a poster, a mental health resource, and a language resource. 
• Access relevant blogs. 

Why is World Mental Health Day important?

• 776,000 workers experienced work-related stress, depression or anxiety in 2023/24. [HSE]
• Stress, depression or anxiety accounted for 46% of work-related ill health and 55% of all working days lost due to ill health in 2023/24. [HSE]
• The main work factors cited as causing work-related stress, depression or anxiety include the demands of the job, lack of control, lack of information and support, work relationships, and roles and responsibilities.

Employers have a legal duty of care to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of their employees, including mental health/stress. Mental wellbeing also benefits the business, for example, increased productivity, a reduction in sickness and staff turnover, and it demonstrates that the organisation is a good, safe, and supportive place to work. Research has found that, on average, businesses achieve a £5 return for every £1 spent on wellbeing support. [Deloitte UK]

Mental wellbeing in the workplace is also good for the employee, for example, improving confidence, purpose, achievement, positive relationships, and inclusion.

Resources

At Mates in Mind, we work with organisations to improve the mental health of their workforce by providing the skills, clarity, and confidence to employers on how to raise awareness, improve understanding, implement effective interventions and end the stigma that surrounds mental health.

This is why we have created a suite of resources to support organisations not only during World Mental Health Day, but also to build a supportive workplace culture which creates positive mental health in and through work:

• The resource pack provides guidance on how to embed an organisational culture change to a prevention approach, with an empowered management and workforce culture which meets the needs of the business and the individual employee.
• As part of our work to help eradicate the stigma that surrounds mental health, we have created a language resource to guide you in using positive, asset based words and avoid the negative, stigma-supporting ones. 

• Supporters – please log in to the portal to download your exclusive resources.
• Non-Supporters - please complete the short form below. 

How to address the stigma

How to eradicate the culture of silence

How to build a positive workplace culture

Please also visit our Resources page where you can download additional free resources. 

Visit our Resources

Please sign up to our newsletter at the bottom of this page to be informed when we publish new blogs in our ‘How to optimise your mental wellbeing’ series. The first blog can be found:

Read our 'How to optimise your mental wellbeing' blogs

How we can support you

Mates in Mind can support your organisation to build a mental health plan and to create a culture of prevention.

Our dedicated team of Support Managers work with organisations of any size to develop a tailored action plan, evaluating your organisation's priorities and gaps, and providing the tools and support you need.

This plan includes ongoing support with communication and delivery of your plan, as well as training opportunities, promotional materials, and a suite of tools (including awareness date resources) to enable you to drive long-lasting and meaningful change.

Find out more about how we can help your organisation build a culture of prevention when you become a Supporter by:

• Visiting our Become a Supporter page
• Calling: 020 3510 5018
• Emailing: [email protected]
• Using this contact form

If you would like to know when we publish new resources, please complete the newsletter sign up at the bottom of this page.