Leadership and Mental Health: How to Support Your Team’s Well-Being - Mantle

24 Apr 2025

Leadership and Mental Health: How to Support Your Team’s Well-Being

In today’s high-pressure work environments, mental health has become a critical topic of conversation.

It’s a challenging area I mean who is responsible for a person’s mental health the organisation of the individual or both?

In today’s high-pressure work environments, mental health has become a critical topic of conversation.

It’s a challenging area I mean who is responsible for a person’s mental health the organisation of the individual or both?

Clearly the work environment can have a significant impact on how people feel. And individuals have very different things going on for them and also vary in in their capacities to manage the stressors in their lives.  

Modern leaders are assumed to have a duty of care and have a responsibility not only to guide teams towards success but also to ensure the well-being of our employees. 

Leaders who are attuned to the mental health needs of their teams increase the chances that they can create an environment where employees can thrive, both personally and professionally.

There is also a very clear productivity reason. Mental health is not always a private concern – it’s something that affects how people work, interact with colleagues, and perform tasks. 

The workplace can be a major source of stress for employees, especially when unrealistic expectations, heavy workloads, and long hours are commonplace. 

The research is clear: employees under stress are already having the quality of their thinking and decision making compromised. They are also more likely to be operating on default behaviours and are most likely less flexible and change oriented. 

The biggest challenge is when the environment overwhelms our ability to regulate our emotions.  When mental health struggles go unaddressed, it can lead to burnout, absenteeism, and reduced productivity.

So what can you do as a leader?

When leaders take an active role in supporting mental health, they can create a more productive, engaged, and happier workforce. Recognising that employees are human, with emotional and mental well-being needs, is essential in creating a culture of connectioin support and trust. 

If you are so busy as a leader smashing through your own to-do list how can you recognise and support the needs of your team?

Leaders who openly acknowledge the challenges of mental health in the workplace create an environment where employees feel comfortable discussing their own concerns.

Recognising Signs of Mental Health Struggles

Before you can support your team’s mental health, it’s important to be able to recognise when someone might be struggling. It’s often not easy to spot mental health issues, especially when employees are reluctant to open up. However, some common signs to look out for include:

  • Changes in behaviour: If an employee who is usually motivated becomes withdrawn or disengaged, it may indicate something is off. Similarly, if someone who is typically calm seems unusually irritable or anxious, it could be a sign of mental health strain.
  • Declining performance: A sudden drop in the quality or consistency of work can be a sign of stress, anxiety, or depression. Pay attention to missed deadlines, mistakes, and a lack of enthusiasm in daily tasks.
  • Absenteeism or lateness: Increased absenteeism or frequent lateness may indicate that an employee is struggling mentally. It could be due to exhaustion, anxiety, or difficulty managing stress at work or home.
  • Physical symptoms: Mental health struggles can sometimes manifest physically, such as headaches, fatigue, or difficulty concentrating. These are often overlooked as part of a larger, ongoing issue.

As a leader, creating a supportive environment is the first step towards helping employees maintain their mental health.

 Here are a few strategies that can make a significant difference:

  1. Encourage Work-Life Balance: As a leader, model a healthy work-life balance. Encourage your team to take breaks, set boundaries, and disconnect after hours. Make sure that employees are not expected to answer emails or attend meetings outside of working hours. A supportive leader sets the example by prioritising their own well-being and respecting their team’s time off.
  2. Listen and Be Empathetic: Sometimes, the best thing a leader can do is simply listen. Take the time to check in with your team and ask how they are doing. Show genuine empathy for any struggles they are facing and offer support where you can. Often, employees just need someone who listens and understands without judgment.
  3. Create a Positive, Inclusive Culture: A positive work environment where employees feel valued and supported is crucial for mental health. Create a culture of inclusion and support where people feel safe to be themselves. Celebrate achievements, promote teamwork, and ensure that no one feels isolated or undervalued.
  4. Promote Open Conversations About Mental Health: One of the best ways to support mental health in the workplace is to make it a regular topic of discussion. Open the door for employees to talk about mental health without fear of stigma. Encourage conversations that normalise mental health struggles and create a culture of empathy. This can be done through regular check-ins, mental health awareness campaigns, or by offering resources like mental health days or wellness programs.
  5. Offer Flexible Working Arrangements: Many employees are balancing work with personal challenges, whether that’s caregiving responsibilities, mental health struggles, or physical health issues. Offering flexible working hours, remote work options, or reduced hours when necessary can help employees manage their mental health better. Being understanding and accommodating during challenging times can increase loyalty and trust within the team.
  6. Provide Mental Health Resources: Ensure that your team has access to mental health resources such as Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), counselling services, or mental health days. Make sure they know that these resources are available and encourage them to use them when needed. Many employees are unaware of the resources available to them, so it’s important to raise awareness.

At the end of the day, mental health is not just a concern for HR or wellbeing teams – it’s a leadership issue. As a leader, you have the power to shape the environment and set the tone for mental health in the workplace. 

When you lead with compassion, understanding, and openness, you create a space where employees feel supported, valued, and ready to contribute their best work.