Mental health: 6 ways companies can take action

On October 10, World Mental Health Day invites us to take a moment to reflect on our mental well-being and the ways we can better protect it in our everyday lives.

Established in 1992 at the initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO), the day highlights a different topic each year.

Mental health: what are we really talking about?

When we talk about mental health, we often think of psychological disorders or situations of distress. Yet the reality is much broader. Good mental health does not mean feeling well all the time. It means being able to navigate life’s challenges, adapt to change and continue to draw on our own resources.

According to the WHO, mental health is “a state of well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of everyday life, realize their abilities, learn, work and contribute to their community.”

This definition takes on particular meaning when applied to the workplace. A working day is about more than simply completing tasks. The conditions in which we work, our relationships with colleagues and managers, our workload and even our ability to recover can all influence our well-being.

Supporting mental health at work is therefore not only about intervening when someone is struggling. Above all, it means creating, on a daily basis, the conditions that help employees maintain their balance and well-being.

What influences our mental health at work?

  • Work organisation and workload:
    When demands pile up, priorities multiply or the pace becomes difficult to sustain over time, fatigue can gradually set in. Clear organisation, realistic objectives and a manageable workload can, on the other hand, help people preserve their resources.
  • Professional relationships:
    Support from colleagues, good management, trust and the ability to speak openly without fear all contribute to a work environment where everyone can find their place. Conversely, repeated tensions or a sense of isolation can weigh heavily on everyday working life.
  • Autonomy and recognition:
    Having some freedom in how you work, understanding the purpose behind your responsibilities and feeling that your efforts are recognised all contribute to a sense of purpose and job satisfaction. These factors can also strengthen our ability to cope with more demanding periods.
  • Recovery:
    In often fast-paced working days, taking a genuine break allows us to slow down, release some of the pressure and recharge. Just a few minutes can help restore energy.

These factors alone do not determine a person’s mental health. But they highlight one essential point: the working environment can influence how employees experience their day-to-day lives.

Ideas for World Mental Health Day… and throughout the year

  • A message from the company leader to the entire organisation:
    A personal message, rather than an HR announcement, explaining why mental health is an important issue for the company’s leadership. Talking about prevention also shows that mental health can be discussed openly and that it has a place within the company culture.
  • An anonymous feedback box:
    Set up for the day, it gives everyone the opportunity to share a feeling, question or difficulty without having to express it directly to someone. The responses can then help identify common concerns and open up a broader dialogue.
  • Creating opportunities for employees to connect:
    Breakfasts, group activities or workshops: these shared moments provide an opportunity to step outside the usual work routine and create more opportunities for conversation. They strengthen team cohesion and contribute to a more welcoming and positive work environment. Good professional relationships can also contribute to a more enjoyable workplace.
  • Creating a recovery space:
    Set up a quiet space where employees can step away for a few minutes, relax, close their eyes or take a power nap. The aim is to give recovery a genuine place in the working day, allowing everyone to take a break when fatigue begins to set in. Beyond well-being, these moments of recovery can support concentration, alertness and cognitive performance, contributing to greater efficiency during the rest of the day.
  • Sophrology in the workplace:
    This practice offers breathing, relaxation and concentration exercises that can easily be incorporated into everyday working life. These tools can be used occasionally during particularly stressful periods, but can also be integrated into a more regular prevention approach to help people better manage everyday tensions.
  • Chair massage:
    Stress and psychological tension can also manifest physically: tense shoulders, a stiff neck, back pain or a feeling of fatigue. Chair massage provides a short moment of relaxation and disconnection, directly in the workplace.

Conclusion

October 10 can be an opportunity to start the conversation, raise awareness among teams and introduce a first initiative. But mental health at work is not something that can be addressed in a single day. It is shaped by everyday habits, relationships and working conditions.

Creating spaces to pause and breathe, encouraging connection or simply making more room for recovery are all practical ways to take action. The key is to find initiatives that reflect the reality and needs of each organisation.

Would you like to organise an initiative for World Mental Health Day, or simply offer your employees a moment of well-being during the year? Get in touch with us — we would be delighted to discuss your needs and explore an initiative together that is tailored to your organisation.