18 Mar Creating a safe space for people to speak up about mental ill-health in the workplace
I’ve been speaking publicly about my own experiences of mental ill-health for more than a decade now. In many ways, it’s been somewhat easy for me to do so because I’m self-employed. Not everyone has that freedom.
For many employees, speaking up about mental health can feel risky — especially when their professional and financial future depends on managers, leaders, and workplace culture. When people worry that being honest could affect how they’re seen, promoted, or trusted, silence often feels like the safest option.
And yet, when employees feel comfortable speaking up, everyone benefits — not just the individual, but the whole organisation.
Psychological safety allows people to ask for help early, before stress becomes burnout, before mistakes become crises, and before disengagement becomes resignation. It leads to better decision-making, stronger teamwork, and more sustainable performance.
Silence, on the other hand, is costly. When people feel they have to hide how they’re really doing, problems grow in the dark — affecting productivity, culture, and retention.
Creating a workplace where it’s OK to say “I’m not OK” doesn’t make people weaker. It makes teams more human, more resilient, and ultimately more effective.
Leaders don’t need to have all the answers — but they do need to understand that it’s in their and everyone’s interest to make it safe for people to speak.