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How to support employee wellbeing – essential tips from Thrive’s clinical team

Business Support

How to support employee wellbeing – essential tips from Thrive’s clinical team

Updated: 13 January 2025

In today’s demanding work environment, it’s easy for mental health to take a backseat as we focus on meeting deadlines, achieving targets and managing daily pressures. However, neglecting our mental health can have long-term consequences for both individuals and business. 

We know business leaders are looking to further support their employees’ mental health. And so we partnered with Thrive Mental Wellbeing, an innovative, full-service mental health provider trusted by the NHS. Through this partnership we are able to offer our customers free access to mental health support, via the Thrive app, for themselves and their employees.

Here, we speak to Thrive’s expert clinical team, who share their insights on how employers can take simple yet effective steps to prioritise wellbeing in the workplace.

Whether you’re looking to better manage your own mental health or support a colleague, this conversation offers actionable tips and strategies to help foster a more mindful and supportive work environment.

Why is it important to prioritise mental health in the workplace?

Mental health directly impacts employee wellbeing, productivity and overall job satisfaction. When mental health is neglected, it can lead to burnout, absenteeism, reduced performance and even physical health issues.

Employees who feel supported are more engaged and better equipped to handle challenges. Fostering a mentally healthy workplace not only reduces stress and anxiety but can also promote a culture of trust, openness and collaboration, which are vital for long-term success.

What are some common signs that an individual’s mental health may be impacted by their work?

There are several signs that someone’s mental health may be affected by their work. These can include (but are not limited to):

  • Emotional changes – Feeling overwhelmed, irritable, anxious or depressed.
  • Physical symptoms – Headaches, fatigue, sleep disturbances or gastrointestinal issues.
  • Behavioural changes – Withdrawal from colleagues, increased absenteeism or difficulty focusing and completing tasks.
  • Decreased motivation – A lack of enthusiasm for work or feeling disconnected from the purpose of their work.
  • Burnout – Extreme exhaustion, a sense of ineffectiveness and feeling drained despite having a manageable workload.

It’s important for both employers and employees to recognise these signs early on and take steps to address them before they worsen.

What small, actionable steps can someone take to manage stress during the workday?

  • Take short breaks – Step away from your workspace for a few minutes, especially if you’re feeling overwhelmed. A quick walk or even some deep breathing can reset your mind.
  • Practice mindfulness – Even a few minutes of mindful breathing or grounding exercises can help reduce stress.
  • Set realistic goals – Break work into smaller, manageable tasks. Prioritising the most important tasks first can reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed.
  • Stay hydrated and eat well – Sometimes stress can be exacerbated by dehydration or skipping meals. Make sure you’re fuelling your body with nutritious snacks and staying hydrated throughout the day.
  • Perfect your environment – Create an appropriate working space for your personal self preferences.
  • Connect/socialise – Positive social interactions with coworkers, even virtually, can improve your mood and reduce stress. Share a quick conversation or a laugh to ease tension.

How can I set boundaries to maintain a healthy work-life balance?

  • Communicate clearly – Set expectations around work hours, as well as non-negotiable personal time. Letting people know when you are and aren’t available makes this clear.
  • Establish a routine – Create a clear start and end to your workday, and stick to it. This helps in mentally transitioning between ‘work mode’ and ‘personal mode.’
  • Delegate and prioritise – You don’t have to do everything yourself. Delegate tasks when appropriate and prioritise what really needs to be done.
  • Use “no” strategically – Saying “no” when you’re at capacity doesn’t mean you’re not a team player. It’s an act of self-care and ensures that you can give your best to the tasks you can handle. Human beings are more likely to help others when they see them helping themselves first.
  • Challenge the guilt – Remember that taking care of yourself enables you to be more present and effective in your work. Self-care is not selfish; it’s necessary for long-term wellbeing.

By setting boundaries and advocating for your needs, you create a healthier work-life balance, which ultimately benefits both you and your workplace.

How can I support someone who feels overwhelmed at work?

Employees who feel confident about managing their workload are less susceptible to burnout. So it’s essential that employees feel they can have open and honest discussions with their managers. 

Initiate conversations aiming to explore their feelings and if there is any specific issue or/and situation that is troubling them.

Provide a safe, confidential, and empathetic space in which they can open up and disclose any concern. This can be a significant relief for employees struggling with their mental health. 

Schedule regular check-in meetings to discuss any concerns regarding workload, deadlines or specific parts of work that are connected to a feeling of overwhelm. 

Remind everyone of the available resources or support systems and encourage them to seek further professional help if needed. 

What are the long-term benefits of prioritising mental health in the workplace?

Benefits extend beyond immediate wellbeing and productivity to the development of a healthier, more sustainable and engaged workforce.

Improved emotional resilience

When we develop better emotional coping mechanisms, it reduces the likelihood of burnout, anxiety, and depression.

In turn, this promotes long-term emotional stability and life satisfaction, improving both personal and professional experiences.

Better work-life balance

Mental health initiatives, such as flexible work schedules or remote work options, enable us to create a better work-life balance, leading to increased personal fulfilment and wellbeing outside of work.

This also makes employees feel like they are being heard, cared about and treated as human beings as opposed to just ‘employees’.


Enhanced productivity

Prioritising mental health in the workplace allows people to focus better, solve problems more effectively and engage in more creative thinking. This sustained cognitive function leads to greater long-term productivity and job performance.

Individuals who feel supported in terms of their mental health tend to be more engaged in their work, leading to higher motivation and commitment over time.


Less stress and lower burnout rates

Organisations that prioritise mental health within the workplace have seen a reduction in stress that can lead to burnout and taking time off work.

Employees who feel supported are more likely to manage stress effectively, resulting in lower long-term exhaustion and absenteeism.

Improved career growth and job satisfaction

A mentally healthy workplace is an environment where individuals can focus on personal growth, skill development and career advancement. The absence of constant mental health struggles allows employees to pursue their long-term professional goals.

People who feel valued and supported are more likely to experience higher job satisfaction and a sense of purpose, leading to long-term loyalty. As a result resignations are minimised and less time and resources are used on hiring replacements.

How can I help support my staff’s wellbeing with Thrive?

There are still stigmas associated with mental health, and some employees may be worried about their job security if they reach out for help at work.

Tackling those stigmas not only promotes healthy communication but also breaks down negative barriers that may often negatively impact business efficacy.

You can help by implementing a wellness program, displaying mental health awareness and outsourcing tailored support to professionals. These measures let employees know they are not alone and that additional help is available.

All small businesses in the UK can benefit from our partnership from Thrive. You don’t need to be a Funding Circle customer. Click here to find out more.

  • Existing Funding Circle borrowers can get 12 months of Thrive access for you and your team – for free. Please contact your Account Manager to get your unique access code.
  • If you’re not a borrower, fill in a few details to get an exclusive discount code here.

From meditation and deep muscle relaxation to cognitive behavioural therapy and mood journals, we believe every small business will find valuable, convenient and affordable mental health support through the Thrive app. 

10/01/25: Funding Circle partners with Thrive Therapeutic Software Ltd (“Thrive”) to offer Thrive’s mental healthcare services (“Services”) to Funding Circle customers. By signing up to the Services, you will enter into a direct relationship with Thrive. You will need to comply with any of Thrive’s terms and conditions and accept these terms entirely at your own risk.

Under the agreed arrangement for the Funding Circle, Thrive is limited to one person access per Thrive account. You must not allow multiple users to access your account. Funding Circle has no authority or ability to negotiate or vary the Services or Thrive’s terms or enter into any contract on behalf of Thrive. Thrive may decline to provide Services to you entirely at its own discretion and is under no obligation to enter into a contract with you or any other form of relationship or correspondence with you.

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