Mental Health at Work: Why It Matters This September
As companies push towards year end, the pace of business can increase stress and burnout. Mental health in the workplace cannot be an afterthought. This September, with Suicide Prevention Month and World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September, we have an important opportunity to bring the subject to the forefront.
Why focus on mental health now
September is Suicide Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness, reduce stigma and encourage open conversation about suicide and mental health.
10 September is World Suicide Prevention Day. This year’s theme, Changing the Narrative on Suicide, urges us all to replace silence with understanding and genuine dialogue.
The need is clear. Suicide is the leading cause of death for men under 50 in the UK, with more than 7000 registered deaths in 2023, an average of 19 every day. These are not just statistics. They are colleagues, friends and family members.
The cost of ignoring mental health at work
Poor mental health has a direct impact on business. Stress, burnout and absence cost UK employers billions every year. Presenteeism, where people are physically at work but mentally struggling, drains productivity. High turnover follows when wellbeing is ignored, and the best talent will leave for employers who take the issue seriously.
What it means for workplaces
Workplaces are more than just offices or laptops on a desk. They are communities. Addressing mental health is not only the right thing to do, it also makes business sense. With so much of life spent at work, employers have a responsibility to create environments where people can thrive, not just survive.
The role of leadership
Leaders set the tone. If directors and managers stay silent on mental health, the message is clear: it is not safe to talk. When leaders speak openly, back their words with action and make time for people, stigma starts to break down.
Giving employees a voice
Support should not just come from the top. Peer to peer networks, wellbeing champions and simple conversations between colleagues can all make a difference. Sometimes it is easier to speak to a peer than a manager, and those small check ins can save lives.
Practical steps employers can take this September
Lead with visibility
Mark World Suicide Prevention Day with an internal message or awareness activity to spark conversation.Use accessible resources
Many organisations provide posters, guides and training. Small steps can have a big impact.Shift the language
Embrace the theme of Changing the Narrative by encouraging open and judgement free conversations.Turn awareness into action
Awareness is only the start. Invest in training staff, embedding support into wellbeing strategies and making clear where help is available.Promote real help
Share vital information such as the Samaritans helpline on 116 123, available 24 hours a day.
Beyond September
Suicide Prevention Month is an important moment, but change requires consistency. Mental health should not be a single campaign in the calendar. It should be woven into how businesses operate year round. That means sustained training, open leadership, flexible working and policies that put people first.
Final thought
As the pace of year end builds, it is easy to let wellbeing slip. This September, Suicide Prevention Month and World Suicide Prevention Day remind us to make space for conversations, to support colleagues and to embed care into every day at work. The challenge is to keep that momentum going long after September ends.