Leadership in Action: Creating a Mentally Healthy Workplace Every Day

Today we mark another R U OK? Day,? and I am reminded of the powerful responsibility that leaders hold in fostering a mentally healthy workplace. As a board member of the World Federation of Mental Health and as Chair of the Workplace Mental Health Committee, I have witnessed firsthand how critical leadership is in creating environments where mental health is supported and prioritised.

The role of leadership

1. Leadership Is Listening

Too often, leadership is viewed as being directive - leaders give instructions, set goals, and drive productivity. But the most impactful leadership is grounded in listening. Asking "Are you okay?" is an invitation to a meaningful conversation that can change lives.

On R U OK? Day and beyond, we recognise that listening is a form of leadership. It’s about making time to understand the mental and emotional well-being of your team, even when the answer isn’t easy to hear.

2. A Safe Culture Starts at the Top

In my role with the Workplace Mental Health Committee, we often emphasise the importance of creating a psychologically safe workplace. This doesn't happen by accident - it’s built through everyday interactions and reinforced by leaders who model vulnerability and empathy.

As leaders, we set the tone. Make it clear that your workplace is one where it's safe to speak up, to admit when someone is struggling, and where mental health is valued as much as physical health. This is especially important when the challenges we face - whether personal or professional - feel overwhelming.

3. Practical Ways to Support Your Team

While grand initiatives are important, it’s often the small, everyday actions that make the biggest difference in maintaining workplace mental health. Here are a few ways you can support your team.

• Check in regularly: Don’t wait for a crisis. Set aside regular time to check in with each member of your team, even for a few minutes. Show that you care beyond their productivity.
• Be visible and approachable: Your team needs to know that you're there for them. A quick coffee, an open-door policy, or a "drop-in" virtual meeting can make you more accessible.
• Promote work-life balance: Encourage taking breaks, flexible working hours, and setting boundaries between work and personal life. This prevents burnout and helps people recharge.
• Celebrate resilience, not just success: Acknowledge the hard work and perseverance of your team members, especially when things don’t go perfectly. This helps build a culture of support.

4. Leadership with Compassion

?Lastly, leading with compassion isn’t just about reacting when someone is struggling—it’s about anticipating needs and proactively creating a culture of care. Compassionate leadership is the bedrock of a mentally healthy workplace. By actively supporting mental health, we safeguard our team’s well-being and create an environment where they can thrive, personally and professionally.

This R U OK? Day, let’s commit to checking in, listening, and leading with care - every day. This will make a lasting impact on the mental health of our teams and workplaces.

Leadership is not just about how you make others feel and how you inspire them to show up as their whole selves, every day.

Dr. Liz King

Board Member, World Federation of Mental Health Chair, Workplace Mental Health Committee

Resources

1. R U OK? DAY - Great Expectation Speakers and Trainers : This article highlights the role of leadership in promoting mental health through R U OK? Day, emphasizing the importance of mental health specialists in the workplace.
2. How Managers Can Make It Easier For Staff To Say, “I'm Not OK” : This resource underscores the crucial role that leaders play in ensuring that staff feel comfortable discussing mental health issues in the workplace.
3. R U OK? Day 2023 Ideas For Your Workplace : Ideas on how organizations can integrate R U OK? Day into their workplace mental health initiatives, including leadership strategies to foster ongoing support.
4. Making every day R U OK? Day - Wellness Daily : This article discusses how leaders can create a "culture of care" by continuously supporting mental health at work, rather than focusing solely on R U OK? Day.
5. Beyond R U OK? Day: Fostering Lasting Workplace Mental Health : This blog emphasizes that R U OK? Day is just the beginning of a broader strategy for maintaining mental health in the workplace.
6. WHO - statistics

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