In today’s fast-paced, high-stress work environment, it’s more important than ever for organisations and individuals to prioritise mental health. However, for many of us, this is easier said than done. We often put the needs of our jobs ahead of our own well-being, leading to burnout, anxiety, and depression. Organisations find it difficult to address mental health issues because of the stigma around them.

The public surveys implemented in 2020 in the MENA region suggest that nearly 30 percent of the region’s population suffer from at least one form of mental health ailments. In response to that some countries including, for example, Saudi Arabia have increased their funding for mental healthcare. However, businesses also have a role to play.

In this episode of the WSP Anticipate Podcast, Blair Boyd, our Senior HSE Manager, is joined by Dr. Karen McDonnell, Occupational Safety and Health Policy Adviser at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. The episode explores the factors that affect employee mental health and highlights how organisations can bring peace and well-being into their workplaces.

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01:30– Dr. Karen McDonnell’s career and experience

04:00– Definition of mental health

05:50 – How organizations can create spaces that support good mental health

08:48– How to identify people at risk and build positive conversations in the workplace

10:50– The efficiency of employee assistance programs in improving employee mental health

13:35– The four step approach – Check the links to the relevant tools.

14:40 – How stigma and the fear of showing vulnerability are a barrier to us talking about mental health

16:12 – The role of empathy in alleviating the impacts of mental health issues

18:53 – Remote work and our employees’ mental health

20:43 – How factors such as sleep, and burnout impact our mental health

22:40 – How organisations can establish a mindful approach to mental health 

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