Small and medium enterprises grapple with workforce's reluctance to discuss mental health concerns, according to a recent global poll.
In a recent survey involving 79,000 businesses across Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and the UK, it has been revealed that while open discussions about mental health at work are becoming more prevalent, a culture of trust, confidentiality, and genuine support remains elusive in many workplaces.
Bertrand Stern-Gillet, CEO at HA Wisdom Wellbeing, has suggested that the measures implemented by employers to manage mental health in the workplace may not be effectively embedded. He questions the disconnect between increasing open discussions about mental health and low confidence among leaders that employees would disclose mental health issues.
The disconnect arises because, despite more conversations, many organizations treat mental health initiatives as superficial or "tick-box" exercises rather than integrating them authentically into workplace culture. This leads to a lack of trust and fear among employees about the consequences of disclosure, including stigma, judgment, or job security risks.
A 2025 global survey found that while 76% of business leaders doubted employees would disclose mental health problems, 55% noticed more open conversations and nearly half prioritized work-life balance. This contradiction suggests deeper trust and cultural issues rather than lack of awareness.
Employees often fear negative repercussions such as being perceived as incapable, stigmatized, or even having their job security threatened if they disclose mental health struggles. Real-life examples highlight fears of discrimination and breaches of confidentiality that discourage openness, including being publicly outed or pressured to reduce work hours after disclosure.
Alan Price, Chief Operations Officer at Peninsula Group, stated that employers have a duty of care to safeguard the wellbeing of their people. However, around 51% of respondents have no plans to introduce support measures such as mental health training, Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), or mental health first aiders to their workplace in the next twelve months.
While 69% of employers surveyed have an EAP in place, only 5% of those who experienced mental ill-health over the last 12 months sought support from it. Moreover, only 1 in 10 workplaces globally plan to introduce mental health first aiders within the next 12 months, and only 20% of employers globally offer mental health days in addition to annual leave.
The UK is leading the way when it comes to mental health support in the workplace, with 1 in 5 UK workplaces having a mental health first aider in place. However, 1 in 7 UK employers surveyed reported experiencing poor mental health over the last year.
Interestingly, Canadian and Irish employers are the least confident that employees would discuss mental health issues with them - 1 in 3 employers in each country said they were either 'unsure' or 'not confident'. In contrast, Canada and Ireland have seen the lowest increased rates of absences related to mental health; Australia saw the largest increase.
In sum, open dialogue is increasing, but a culture of trust, confidentiality, and genuine support — key for employees to feel safe disclosing — remains insufficient in many workplaces. Employers are urged to reconsider their approach to mental health support, moving beyond superficial measures and towards authentic integration into workplace culture to foster a safer and more supportive environment for all employees.
- To address this disconnect and foster a healthier workplace, science-backed approaches to workplace wellness, such as implementing mental health training and Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), should be integrated authentically into workplace culture.
- In order to promote mental-health, health-and-wellness, and employee confidence, it is essential for employers to establish a culture that genuinely supports open discussions, maintains confidentiality, and minimizes potential negative repercussions in the workplace.
