Prioritising Mental Health in the Workplace: Insights from Black Minds Matter UK

Today is World Mental Health Day, and this year’s theme is centred around mental health in the workplace—an incredibly important topic that has gained much-needed attention in recent years as the conversation around mental health and well-being continues to grow.

At Black Minds Matter UK (BMMUK), we take workplace mental health seriously. Our small team faces a large demand for the services we offer and an ambitious vision to achieve. With that comes a lot of hard work and dedication, which makes staying well, both mentally and physically, absolutely crucial.

Here are a few key ways we prioritize mental health for our team at BMMUK:

1. Free Therapy for All Staff

We believe that mental health support should be accessible to everyone, which is why we offer free therapy to all our staff members. Each employee has access to therapy as part of the benefits we provide. It’s essential that our team members feel supported not only in their work but also in their personal well-being.

2. Mental Health Days

At BMMUK, we offer quarterly mental health days to all staff. These can be taken whenever someone feels they need a break, with no obligation to disclose the reason unless they choose to.

It’s one thing to offer well-being benefits, but it's equally important to promote and enforce their use. Research shows that employees often don’t take full advantage of mental health days unless senior leadership sets an example by using them as well. As leaders and employers, we must practice what we preach. That’s why, as we near the end of a busy Black History Month filled with multiple projects, our team will be taking a mental health day to rest and recharge.

3. Holding Space in Moments of Need

We are never far from a news story or incident, whether local or global, that impacts the mental health and well-being of Black individuals and people of colour. At BMMUK, we are deeply aware of how these events can affect our moods, morale, and sense of safety.

When significant events happen, especially those that are triggering, we make space for our team. We set up a virtual meeting to check in on each other. There’s no obligation to speak about how anyone feels, but the space is there for those who need it. This practice has been a powerful way for us to support one another through difficult moments.

Our Approach to Mental Health at BMMUK

These are just a few of the ways we prioritise the mental health and well-being of our team internally. In our line of work, where mental health is at the core of what we do, it’s vital to ensure that the team providing support also feels supported.

But we want to hear from you—what does your organisation do to support mental health in the workplace? Or if you’re an employee, what are some mental health benefits that you appreciate most? Let us know in the comments.

How You Can Support Us on World Mental Health Day

If you’re looking for a way to support our work at BMMUK this World Mental Health Day, we encourage you to check out our Untold Stories Project, which launched earlier this month. This project focuses on gathering stories from our elder Black community to ensure their voices and mental health experiences are heard.

More information about the Untold Stories Project can be found on our website and in our Instagram highlights. Please take a moment to learn more and share with your network.

And as always, remember to do at least one thing today for your own mental well-being. ??

#MentalHealthAtWork #WorldMentalHealthDay #BlackMindsMatterUK #WorkplaceWellBeing #MentalHealthMatters #UntoldStoriesProject