World Mental Health Day

10 October 2024

World Mental Health day is celebrated every year on 10 October and this year the theme is Workplace Mental Health. The theme shines a spotlight on the importance of mental health and wellbeing in the workplace which not only benefits employees but employers and the wider communities they serve. Both the work we carry out and the working environment we spend much of our time in can have a significant impact on our mental health.

Work can benefit our mental health by providing us with a purpose, an opporutnity to build positive relationships and a platform for a structured routine. Although there are notable benefits, the workplace can also have a negative impact on our mental health by either aggravating a pre-existing condition or issues experienced at work can contribute to poor mental health or make the effects worse.

Employers have a duty of care to do all they reasonably can to support their employees' health, safety and wellbeing (both mental and physical health). This includes making the working environment safe, protecting employees from discrimination and carrying out risk assessments. It is not always easy to identify the signs of  poor mental health therefore, employers should encourage their employees to talk regularly about how they are feeling so support can be provided at the earliest opportunity.

For further information on World Mental Health Day and to access additional resources please visit the Mental Health Foundation.

HSE's Working Minds campaign also provides a good range of resources to support employers and employees understand the best ways to prevent work related stress and encourage good mental health.