By Nicola Hemmings, Head of Workplace Psychology - Employee Mental Health and Wellbeing Solutions

Working women in the UK are dealing with a lot. We’re trying to balance personal and professional responsibilities AND take care of our mental and physical health. Eventually, this continued pressure leads to us feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, and even depressed. Statistics show that we’re 40% more likely to develop a mental health condition^[1] and twice as likely to be diagnosed with anxiety.^[2] Many women without a formal diagnosis (or access to clinical care), who are not represented in these statistics are struggling, too.

With so much on, taking care of our mental health and wellbeing can feel like one more thing to tick off a never-ending list—no matter its impact on ourselves and everyone around us.

How can workplaces help women overcome barriers to mental wellbeing?

Every woman has their own unique circumstances and needs. When it comes to mental health support, there’s no one-size-fits-all. However, employers can take a few key steps to support women’s mental health at work. Here are three to get you started:

1. Create a safe space (for everyone)

When a workplace is psychologically safe,^[3] women (and everyone, really) are more likely to feel comfortable raising their hands for help when it’s needed. People are also more likely to speak up with ideas, questions, concerns, and mistakes. Building this culture, however, takes time and effort.^[4] It must be backed by leadership and policy to help build the right collective mindset and spread the right behaviours.

2. Normalise mental health talk (and struggles)

While women are statistically more likely than men to seek mental health care,^[5] stigma continues to present as a significant barrier to care. Many women worry they’ll be viewed as unprofessional or weak for asking for help. Making mental health talk^[6] part of your culture and ways of working, makes it easier for everyone to get help when they need it.^[7] You’ll also need to remind everyone of the resources available to support them on a regular basis and ensure everyone knows how to access them.

3. Lower barriers to care with smoother pathways

Taking the first steps towards accessing mental health support can feel uncomfortable, or even scary for some. Make the process as easy as possible for the women (and everyone else on your team) by lowering barriers. Scheduling, expense, distance and stigma often prevent women from getting timely access to the care they need. Discreet access to support across the full range of mental health via digital-first platforms can help resolve many of these issues.^[8]

Find out how to improve access to mental health for your workforce in our whitepaper Helping employees overcome barriers to mental wellness.

Ready to take action to support mental health for all at your workplace? Contact us at info@koahealth.com, or schedule a call with one of our experts here.