Four Ways to Keep Mental Health Awareness Alive Year-Round

October is a month dedicated to raising awareness of mental health, it is a timely opportunity to reflect on how we can better support the well-being of our employees. At Involved, we understand the importance of mental health in the workplace—both for the happiness of our people and the success of our business. But mental health is not something that can be addressed just once a year during Mental Health Awareness Month. To foster a more productive, engaged, and motivated team, we need to ensure that our efforts to prioritise mental health are sustained throughout the entire year.

Here are four key strategies we believe can help us keep mental health a year-long priority:

1. Create an Engaging, Flexible Work Environment

Stress can be a major barrier to productivity, and it often stems from a lack of flexibility. When employees feel like they have little control over their schedules or the balance between work and personal life, stress and burnout are quick to follow. Offering flexible work arrangements—such as remote work, adjusted hours, or even part-time options—can be a game-changer.

Allowing employees the flexibility to work in a way that suits their personal lives helps them feel more in control, reduces stress, and ultimately makes them more productive. Studies have shown that employees who get enough rest and maintain a work-life balance are far less likely to experience burnout, which leads to better engagement and motivation. Simple, individualised solutions can go a long way toward helping our team members feel refreshed and ready to tackle their work.

2. Offer Mental Health Resources and Tools

One of the most impactful things a company can do is provide resources that employees can use to manage their mental health. Whether through Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), wellness stipends, or just access to mental health tools, having these resources at employees' fingertips can make a real difference.

For example, something as simple as creating a "wellness corner" in the office, complete with mindfulness tools like stress balls, essential oils, or even a quiet space to read, can give employees an outlet to recharge. You could also explore offering stipends for gym memberships, therapy sessions, or meditation apps. The goal is to make mental health support feel accessible and normalised, so employees do not feel overwhelmed when they need help.

3. Build a Supportive, Empathetic Culture

Empathy is the foundation of a healthy work environment. Not every day will be the same, and it is important that employees feel they can be open about their struggles without fear of judgment or stigma. Leaders at Involved can help by fostering an empathetic culture where employees feel safe sharing what’s on their minds—whether it is personal stress or workload pressure.

Training managers to recognise signs of mental health struggles and encouraging them to check in with their teams regularly can create a culture of support. Initiatives like team-wide "well-being check-ins" or offering mental health first aid training can help managers and employees alike become more aware of the mental health needs within the workplace.

4. Promote Mental Health as a Long-Term Commitment

Mental health awareness should never be a one-time campaign; it should be embedded in the DNA of the company. A great way to keep the conversation going throughout the year is to integrate mental health into ongoing company communications. Whether through internal newsletters, Slack channels, or monthly wellness workshops, maintaining the dialogue helps reduce stigma and ensures that mental health is seen as an essential, ongoing priority.

At Involved, we can also encourage transparency around mental health by sharing stories and experiences, much like initiatives we have seen from other companies. This openness helps to foster a sense of community and trust, making employees feel supported in their own journeys.

Mental Health Awareness Month is an important time to pause and reflect on the mental well-being of our employees, but it is just the beginning. By making mental health a consistent focus throughout the year—through flexibility, resources, empathy, and ongoing promotion—we can build a workplace where employees thrive. Prioritising mental health does not just benefit our team members; it also leads to a more productive, engaged, and ultimately successful organisation.

At Involved, we are committed to leading by example, supporting mental health as a vital part of our culture. After all, a happy, healthy team is the foundation of a thriving company. Let us take this October as a launchpad to ensure that mental health awareness is something we actively promote every day.