Mental health support for remote workers – and the critical role internal comms can play

The focus for this year’s World Mental Health Day is prioritising mental health in the workplace. But what if your workplace is your kitchen table or spare bedroom, as it is for so many of us now? And what can internal communications do to support the mental health of employees who work from home or on the road?

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Remote working can, of course, boost mental health. As a virtual agency, our teams have always worked remotely and flexibly. And we’ve seen how helpful this is for a wide variety of people – from parents and team members with caring responsibilities to those who are neurodivergent or enjoy a nomadic lifestyle. It helps people carve out time for things outside of work. And it avoids the stress that can be related to getting to, and working from, a communal office.

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Working remotely does have its challenges though. Isolation, blurred work-life boundaries and lack of face-to-face interaction can take a toll on employees’ wellbeing. So here are some ways internal communications can help foster a sense of connection and support remote workers' mental health.

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1.???? Be transparent and consistent For employees working remotely, uncertainty can heighten stress. So, communication that’s clear and consistent can give much-needed stability. Being upfront about any changes or challenges helps create a sense of inclusion and trust. And sharing good news helps people feel confident and optimistic. A monthly newsletter or weekly briefing that updates on company strategy, project successes and personal stories, for example, can help remote employees feel valued, secure and part of the bigger picture.

2.???? Create opportunities to socialise In an office, social interactions happen naturally – from bumping into acquaintances in the lift to meeting workmates for lunch. When you’re working remotely, the lack of this can lead to feelings of isolation. You can help avoid this by using platforms like Microsoft Teams, Zoom or Slack to create opportunities for genuine connection outside of work meetings. You could, for example, set up virtual coffee breaks, themed debates, informal chats with people from other departments, team-building activities and more. Small but consistent social interactions can really help to reduce loneliness and improve a remote worker’s sense of belonging.

3.???? Promote mental health awareness Internal communications channels are ideal routes for raising awareness of mental health issues. Encouraging open dialogue about mental health helps destigmatise it and ensure employees feel safe to share their own challenges or concerns about colleagues. You could, for example, set up a Slack channel for topics like work-life balance, stress management and self-care to normalise chatting about mental health. Or use Yammer to promote an Employee Assistance Program or offer free access to mental health first aid training.

4.???? Encourage two-way communication It should be easy for everyone, including remote workers, to give feedback and suggestions or share their problems and worries. And, ideally, they should be able to do this anonymously if they prefer. You could include questions about mental health and the support provided for it in regular pulse surveys, for example.? Frequent virtual check-ins also give remote workers a chance to voice concerns, ask questions or share how they’re feeling. And managers should be trained to focus on wellbeing and mental health, not just productivity. Simple questions like "How are you doing?" or "Is there anything you need help with?" create a sense of support and help employees feel heard and valued.

5.???? Communicate flexibility and boundaries

Flexible working hours can help to support mental health by letting people work when they’re most productive or around other responsibilities. But it’s important remote workers don’t fall into the trap of feeling they should be available at all hours. Internal communications can help to reinforce this message and the importance of setting boundaries and ensuring a work-life balance when working remotely. Encouraging managers to lead by example also helps employees feel comfortable about switching off from work. ?

The important thing to remember, of course, is that supporting the mental health of each worker is something to focus on all year round. And embedding this in your internal communications programme and practices helps to ensure it stays high up on the agenda.

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