How can I look after my employee’s mental health and wellbeing?

Let’s start with something simple but often overlooked: don’t be afraid of the term “mental health.” We all have it—and just like our physical health, it can fluctuate from day to day. For your employees, those shifts are influenced not only by personal issues but also by the culture, workload, and environment of the workplace.

As a Cardiff therapist working with professionals across a variety of industries, I’ve seen how much of an impact work can have on our wellbeing. A supportive workplace doesn’t just prevent burnout—it can actively improve staff morale, productivity, and retention.

Why It Matters

According to the Centre for Mental Health, over 91 million workdays are lost each year in the UK due to mental health problems. Nearly half of all long-term absences are related to mental health, and the total cost to UK employers is estimated at over £30 billion.

It’s not just about absenteeism. Presenteeism—turning up to work while mentally unwell—is harder to detect but just as costly.

And yet, many staff members still feel they can’t talk about their mental health:

• 1 in 5 take time off due to stress

• 1 in 10 have resigned due to stress

• 19% feel unable to speak to managers about it

• 56% of employers want to support wellbeing but lack guidance (Mind, 2014)

  
  

Proactive, Not Just Reactive

Having policies in place for sick leave due to emotional difficulties is important—but a proactive approach is even more powerful. That means recognising the signs early, fostering open communication, and cultivating a culture of psychological safety.

From the perspective of a Cardiff counsellor, prevention is always better than crisis management.

Practical Ways to Support Employee Wellbeing

Here are some simple but effective steps businesses can take:

📌 Define Roles and Expectations

Regular check-ins, clear goals, and constructive feedback help staff feel secure and valued. If someone’s performance drops, offer support—not assumptions.

📌 Involve Employees in Setting Deadlines

Unrealistic expectations can fuel anxiety. Collaborate on timelines and workload planning to reduce unnecessary stress.

📌 Train Your Managers

Equip leaders with the confidence to talk about mental health. As a therapist in Cardiff, I can help provide this training or direct you to tailored resources.

📌 Support Isolated or Remote Workers

Check in regularly, set up mentoring schemes, and keep communication channels open—especially for staff working from home or off-site.

📌 Encourage a Mental Health Culture

Monthly meetings, anonymous forums, newsletters, or even a staff noticeboard can be powerful tools for raising awareness and opening up conversations.

📌 Provide a Clear Point of Contact

Employees should know exactly who to speak to—whether that’s HR, a manager, or an external Cardiff therapy provider. Make these details visible and accessible.

📌 Consider the Physical Environment

Light, temperature, and noise levels all affect wellbeing. Flexible workspace design can reduce stress and improve mood.

📌 Promote Healthy Break Habits

Encourage short screen breaks, social interaction, and eating away from desks. Simple steps can help prevent burnout and improve focus.

Encourage Personal Responsibility—But Offer Real Support

Wellbeing is a shared responsibility. While we can encourage staff to look after themselves through self-care, exercise, rest and nutrition, we must also ensure that quick and effective professional support is available when it's needed.

Accessing therapy through the NHS or a GP referral can take months. In the meantime, issues may deepen or escalate. That’s why many businesses now work directly with private Cardiff counsellors to provide accessible mental health support.

Introducing Employee Support from MF Counselling

At MF Counselling, I offer a bespoke Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for businesses looking to improve mental health support for their teams.

If you're a business owner or HR professional looking for trusted therapy in Cardiff for your staff, I'd be happy to discuss how I can help. Whether through short-term counselling, stress management consultations, or wellbeing workshops, I’m here to help your staff feel heard, supported, and equipped to thrive.

📩 Get in touch today to find out more.

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