When we think about health and safety at work, hard hats, safety goggles, and risk assessments often come to mind. But what about stress levels, anxiety, or burnout? Mental health is just as important as physical safety, and in many cases, the two go hand in hand.
This Mental Health Awareness Week (12th – 18th May 2025) is the perfect time to shine a light on how mental wellbeing impacts workplace safety, and why it needs to be a core part of every organisation’s health and safety strategy.
The Link Between Mental Health and Safety
Poor mental health can quietly erode focus, judgment, and reaction time, three things that are essential for a safe working environment. Whether it’s an overstretched office worker or a stressed-out site manager, people under pressure are more likely to make mistakes, miss warning signs, or take unnecessary risks.
Stress, fatigue, and burnout can:
- Increase the likelihood of workplace accidents
- Impair decision-making
- Reduce attention to detail
- Impact communication between team members
In short, when mental health suffers, so does safety.
Practical Steps for Employers
There are practical, proactive steps businesses can take to build mental wellbeing into their health and safety approach:
1. Train Managers to Spot the Signs
Equip team leaders with the knowledge to recognise when someone might be struggling. Early intervention can prevent issues from escalating and shows staff they’re supported.
2. Encourage Open Conversations
Make mental health a normal part of workplace dialogue. From regular check-ins to mental health champions, creating a culture where people feel safe to speak up is crucial.
3. Review Workloads and Pressures
Long hours, tight deadlines, or unclear expectations can all contribute to stress. Take a regular look at how work is structured and whether employees have the tools and time they need.
4. Offer Flexibility Where Possible
Simple adjustments like flexible hours, quiet workspaces, or remote working options can have a huge impact on someone’s mental wellbeing.
5. Promote Healthy Work Habits
Encourage regular breaks, discourage a culture of overwork, and support healthy routines. Sometimes, stepping away from the desk is the safest thing to do.
The Business Case for Wellbeing
Prioritising mental health isn’t just good for people, it’s good for business. A mentally healthy workforce is:
- More productive
- Less prone to accidents and errors
- More engaged and motivated
- Less likely to take long-term sickness leave
Ultimately, a workplace that values both physical safety and mental wellbeing is safer, stronger, and more sustainable.
One important thing to remember is that we’re not here to ‘fix’ people’s problems, our goal is to give them the tools to start conversations, recognise the signs, and confidently signpost others to support they might not even realise they need.
Health and safety should protect all aspects of a person’s wellbeing, not just their physical safety. As we mark Mental Health Awareness Week, now is the time to ensure your workplace culture, policies, and practices reflect that.