In light of ongoing research and transparent discussions around mental health, companies understand business is not solely about producing results or hitting targets. Employee wellbeing is also key to performance and productivity.

A company-wide focus on mental health can help support positive results because a happy, healthy employee can certainly be more focused, motivated and productive - all key ingredients to individual and business success.

Speaking openly about wellbeing issues on World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day, held annually on October 10, is the perfect time to reflect on ways the workplace can have a positive impact on individuals. It is also a key opportunity to celebrate the companies who prioritize physical, mental and emotional wellness.

The day aims to raise awareness about mental health issues around the world, encourages efforts to support mental health, and provides an opportunity to speak openly about mental health issues including what more can be done to help make mental health better understood.

Below are just some of the many companies actively helping to address mental health issues in the workplace.

BD receives official recognition as a Best Employer for Health and Wellbeing

BD’s mission is to advance the world’s health, but it also places importance in the health and wellbeing of its employees.

The National Business Group on Health officially recognized this commitment when it named BD one of the Best Employers for Health and Wellbeing thanks to its BD Total Awards, a progressive and holistic approach to health.

Exyte empowers its employees to stand up for workplace wellbeing

Health, safety and wellbeing are core priorities at Exyte, which is highlighted through the company’s annual celebration of World Day for Safety and Health and its official recognition as the Best Wellness Employee 

Most importantly, Exyte understands that the key to good mental health is empowering its employees with the courage and conviction to speak out and stand up for their wellbeing.

Capgemini engages technology to create a healthy work/life balance

Technology can, arguably, be considered at times to be detrimental to one's mental health but, like any form of progress, technology can also be highly beneficial.

Leading technology company Capgemini UK has harnessed the power of technology to support its employees in maintaining a healthy work/life balance.

Capgemini’s Work Life Harmony uses pioneering policies such as a special email signature to enable employees to work flexibility at a time and in a way that best benefits their mental health.

Workplace volunteering opportunities can truly engage employees 

Volunteering not only improves the lives of others, but can also improve one's own mental health through providing a sense of purpose, increasing self-confidence and reducing stress and anxiety.

Many Prime Employers for Women offer significant opportunities for employees to volunteer their time, skills and experience to help others.

For example, Vodafone employees pedalled the length of England to raise money to address issues affecting young girls, while BD associates worked with non-profit Eva's Village on their workforce development program that helps people develop career skills.

MetLife employees, for example, benefit from the company’s partnership with Habitat for Humanity to help support community projects.

F5's partnerships with local charities provide employees with a chance to help combat homelessness in Seattle.

Amazon rewards employees with engaging field trip to Seattle HQ

Rewarding employees for their hard work and dedication can also help improve mental health as usually everyone likes to feel valued and appreciated, even if it’s for something they’re being paid to do.

Amazon UK’s ‘I Found the Right Place’ program sends employees on a once-in-a-lifetime, all-expenses paid trip to Seattle to explore the city, have a fun trip up the Space Needle, and meet their American counterparts at Amazon's headquarters. A great way to put a smile on someone’s face!

Diageo makes a pledge to end mental health stigma

Diageo understands the importance of happy employees in creating productivity within their company.

Subsequently, this progressive company has signed the Time to Change Pledge to end mental health stigma . The company is also one of the UN's Business Avengers championing sustainability, prosperity, equality and opportunity for all.

Schneider Electric’s health programs recognised by American Heart Association

For Schneider Electric, good mental health is all about being healthy, happy, and allowing employees to make the most of their energy at work and at home.

This positive attitude has been commended by American Heart Association’s Workplace Health Achievement Index that awarded Schneider Electric at the Gold Level for their workplace health programs and culture of health best practices.

The University of Sheffield is celebrated via a Wellbeing Special Award

The University of Sheffield has been named as one of the best not-for-profit organisations to work for in the UK by The Sunday Times. Included in the recognition is the Wellbeing Special Award for the University of Sheffield’s creative approach to positively improve employees’ mental health, including its staff wellbeing initiative, Juice, that  provides a range of stimulating mental and physical activities, encouraging and inspiring their people to look after their wellbeing.

AECOM employees promote good mental health practices

AECOM’s employees like graduate engineer Jess Dunn ​​​​​​work hard to promote good mental health. Jess was named Health and Safety Graduate of the Year at Highways England’s first ever Health, Safety and Wellbeing Awards for her outstanding efforts to promote good mental health in the workplace.

Rio Tinto address mental health stigmas through art installations

There are many ways companies can open up conversations around mental health, and Rio Tinto’s approach is particularly creative.

The company unveiled a sculpture near its Paraburdoo iron ore mine in West Australia as a symbol of strength and collaboration among remote Pilbara mining communities, where social isolation and lack of communication can sometimes lead to poor mental health.

Arcadis supports mental health charity Mind

Arcadis employees support their company’s efforts to advocate for good mental health, which is why they nominated mental health charity Mind as their Charity of the Year. As well as support this worthwhile cause, Arcadis also runs internal training in mental health topics.

Oracle launches campaign to prevent mental health-related absences

Oracle understands that good mental health makes good business sense and this is one of the reasons the company launched a campaign called Mind Over Matters that provides employees with wellbeing resources and mental health support via print and online means. Activity has seen impressive results and absences, due to ill mental health, have declined.

Is mental health a priority at your company?

On World Mental Health Day, it's important to reflect upon whether your company provides adequate support for you and your colleagues to help support positive mental wellbeing. It is also a key opportunity to explore wider resources available.

Remember, some employers are more proactive than others when it comes to supporting employee work environments and conditions.

In the meantime, here's a hugely popular video posted by the World Health Organization quite a few years ago to help educate and raise awareness about mental health.

It's certainly well worth a watch!