Building Mentally Healthy Leadership: How Managers Can Champion Employee Wellbeing
By Louise Dennison O'Shaughnessy – Director of Mental Health & Wellness, EHS International
Modern leadership is no longer just about hitting targets, sticking to timelines, or boosting team performance. Today, the most effective leaders are those who create psychologically safe environments where employees feel heard, supported, and genuinely valued.
As Irish organisations face growing levels of workplace stress and burnout, leaders need to do more than simply acknowledge the problem. They must become active champions of mental wellbeing at every level of their teams.
Mental Health Is a Leadership Issue
According to the World Health Organization, an overwhelming 76% of employees have experienced at least one mental health symptom in the past year. At the same time, 59% of managers say they're trying to support their teams without any formal training.
These figures speak volumes. Mental health is not a side issue; it plays a central role in employee engagement, retention, and performance. In today's high-pressure work environment, many managers want to support their teams but don't know where to begin.
In my work training leaders across Ireland, I've seen it time and again. The fear of saying the wrong thing often results in saying nothing at all. Mental health first aid training can change that. It equips managers with the skills and confidence to step in and support others meaningfully. When that happens, teams thrive and so do the businesses they belong to.
Embed a Culture of Care with a Health, Safety and Wellbeing (HSW) Minute
You don't need sweeping policies to improve workplace wellbeing. Sometimes, the simplest ideas are the most effective. One such idea is the Health, Safety and Wellbeing (HSW) Minute, a brief check-in or discussion at the start of each meeting.
Each month, the focus can shift to a different theme, such as anxiety, cancer awareness, or menopause. Sharing relevant internal or external resources as part of this conversation helps normalise health-related topics and opens the door to support.
I've seen this work especially well when wellbeing committees prepare the monthly content in advance and provide it to managers to use in their meetings. Just 60 seconds can send a powerful message: your wellbeing matters.
Equip Managers with Mental Health Training
Managers are often promoted for their technical expertise, but few receive guidance on how to handle emotional or psychological challenges within their teams. That gap can leave even the most well-meaning leaders feeling unsure.
Mental health training provides a practical solution. A well-designed course can help leaders:
- Offer thoughtful, compassionate support
- Recognise early signs of distress
- Understand when and how to escalate concerns
- Protect their own mental health while supporting others
When leaders are confident and well-informed, they are much more capable of building resilient and caring teams.
Make Room for Focus with No-Meeting Fridays
Constant meetings are one of the biggest sources of workplace overwhelm. A simple but effective remedy is to introduce a no-meeting policy on Fridays. This allows employees to focus on deep work, wrap up projects, or plan for the week ahead without interruptions.
Giving teams this breathing space promotes clarity, productivity, and a greater sense of control over their workload.
Model Wellbeing at the Top
Employees look to leadership for cues about what really matters. When senior managers actively participate in wellbeing initiatives, such as attending wellness talks, joining charity walks, or promoting Mental Health Week, it shows that wellbeing is a shared priority.
This kind of visible commitment also reinforces the idea that mental health is not just the responsibility of HR. It's something everyone has a role in supporting.
Act on Feedback with Pulse Surveys
Surveys are only valuable if people believe their feedback leads to action. Regular pulse surveys can help track stress, morale, and overall engagement, but what truly builds trust is the follow-through.
At one organisation I worked with, employee survey participation was low. When asked why, staff responded, "Because nothing ever changes." After introducing a campaign that shared outcomes under the banner "You asked, we listened," participation improved significantly. So did morale and retention.
Listening is the first step. Responding with transparency and action is what earns lasting trust.
Respect Mental Health Days
Allowing employees to take mental health days without guilt or judgement shows a real commitment to balance and humanity. Everyone experiences tough times, and sometimes a day off is what's needed to reset.
Treating mental health on par with physical health not only supports wellbeing but also helps prevent long-term burnout and absenteeism.
Offer Preventive Health Support
Promoting preventive care in the workplace can have a big impact. Offering health checks such as stress, blood pressure, or cholesterol screenings encourages employees to take proactive steps toward their wellbeing.
It's also important to look for trends in absenteeism or team-wide fatigue. If certain teams are consistently taking more time off, it could be a sign of overwork or low morale. Identifying these issues early allows for timely, positive interventions.
And when it comes to support services, simplicity is key. Providers like Kara Connect offer accessible counselling in multiple languages and often have much higher uptake rates than traditional employee assistance programmes. If the process isn't straightforward, people are unlikely to use it.
Other services, like HUGS or Text HELLO to 50808, offer quick and confidential help in a format that suits the person in need.
Stay Interviews: Prevent Attrition Before It Happens
Many organisations conduct exit interviews, but by then, it's too late to make a difference. Stay interviews turn the focus to the present. They help employers understand what's working, what needs improvement, and what motivates people to stay.
These honest conversations often surface small changes that can prevent larger issues down the line. Most importantly, they show employees that their presence and perspective, are truly valued.
The Future of Leadership Is Human-Centred
Supporting mental health in the workplace doesn't mean leaders have to act as counsellors. What it does require is empathy, attentiveness, and a willingness to lead by example.
Introducing small, consistent practices—such as the HSW Minute, regular training, or flexible working norms can help shift workplace culture from one that reacts in crisis to one that builds resilience from the start.
The organisations that will thrive in the future are those where leadership is not just about metrics, but also about how people are treated, supported, and inspired.
The Surprising Truth
There's a common misconception that emotional openness makes leaders appear weak. In reality, the opposite is often true. Research consistently shows that teams are more engaged, loyal, and innovative when they are led by emotionally intelligent managers.
When leaders model vulnerability, they create space for honesty and trust. Psychologically safe teams are not only more connected, they also tend to perform better.
Let's Keep the Conversation Going
What's one thing you wish more leaders understood about supporting mental health at work? How could it change the culture of your team?
Share your thoughts or tag a colleague who's leading the way in workplace wellbeing.
About the Author
Louise Dennison O'Shaughnessy – Director of Mental Health & Wellness, EHS International
Louise Dennison O'Shaughnessy leads the mental health and wellness division at EHS International. She has spent more than a decade helping organisations across Ireland strengthen their cultures through mental health training, resilience-building programmes, and practical leadership support.
As a certified Mental Health Instructor, First Aid Trainer, and registered EMT, Louise brings real-world experience and deep compassion to her work. She is passionate about helping teams reduce burnout, improve communication, and create workplaces where everyone feels safe to thrive.
To book Mental Health First Aid training with Louise, visit here
Mental Health Support and Resources
At EHS International, we believe everyone should have access to the support they need—when they need it. Whether you're navigating a personal challenge, trying to support a colleague, or leading a team, help is available.
If You Are in Crisis
If you or someone close to you is struggling and needs immediate help, please reach out. You are not alone.
Samaritans – 24/7 Confidential Support
Call 116 123 (Republic of Ireland)
Call 08457 90 90 90 (Northern Ireland)
Visit: www.samaritans.ie
Email: [email protected]
Other trusted services include:
- Text HELLO to 50808 for free, confidential support in real time
- HUGS for workplace-specific crisis support
- Kara Connect for easy, multilingual access to mental health professionals
At EHS International, we are committed to building a culture of care—one where no one has to face mental health challenges on their own.
