Why World Mental Health Day Matters for Your Workplace — and What Leaders Can Do Now?

Every year on October 10th, World Mental Health Day shines a spotlight on a challenge that affects every organisation: how we care for the minds, resilience, and wellbeing of the people who keep our businesses running. For Founders, CEOs, MDs, HR leaders, and wellbeing budget holders, this is not just a day of awareness. It’s a call to action.

The Cost of Ignoring Mental Health in the Workplace:

• Stress, burnout, and anxiety remain among the top drivers of absenteeism and presenteeism.

• The WHO estimates that depression and anxiety cost the global economy $1 trillion annually in lost productivity (WHO, 2022).

• High achievers and senior leaders are not immune — in fact, they’re often most at risk, given the weight of responsibility and performance expectations.
  

Why This Matters to Business Leaders:

Today’s workforce demands more than a paycheck. Employees want purpose, balance, and workplaces that truly support mental wellbeing. Companies that fail to act risk losing top talent, damaging culture, and eroding trust. Conversely, organizations that invest in mental health see higher engagement, stronger loyalty, and measurable improvements in performance.

From Awareness to Action: World Mental Health Day isn’t about ticking a box. It’s an opportunity for leaders to ask:

• How do we want our people to feel at work?

• What structures, culture, and practices are in place to prevent burnout?

• How are we supporting leaders themselves — who often carry invisible pressures?
  

Practical Steps to Take Now:

1. Open Conversations: Create psychologically safe spaces where mental health is normalised.

2. Assess Needs: Use surveys or feedback sessions to understand what your people truly need.

3. Invest Strategically: Prioritise evidence-based wellbeing initiatives — not just one-off wellness days.

4. Lead by Example: Senior leaders sharing their own strategies for managing stress sets the tone.

5. Partner with Experts: Bring in internal or external support to design sustainable wellbeing strategies.
   

This World Mental Health Day, don’t let your workplace simply acknowledge mental health — take steps to transform how your people experience it.

👉 If you’re ready to explore how tailored wellbeing strategies can reduce burnout, boost resilience, and create lasting culture change, let’s talk. Get in touch: Contact | Resourced To Thrive Reference:  WHO guidelines on mental health at work. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2022.