Exploring workplace mental health challenges and opportunities

The event was hosted at London's Foundling Museum in Brunswick Square over breakfast with the theme inspired by that of Mental Health Awareness Day 2024 "pioritising mental health in the workplace". The UK is a leading hub for remote work and there are indications that this is negatively affecting the mental health of the workforce, although there is a lack of robust evidence.

The aim of this event was to explore the challenge of, and potential solutions to, loneliness within hybrid and remote work settings. Representatives of UK major organisations that have embraced flexible work were invited to reflect and offer insights on a number of angles including:

• Their organisation’s approach to workplace mental health
• Initiatives to raise awareness and support mental well-being
• Opportunities for collaboration between researchers and businesses
• Effective methods for evaluating workplace mental health practices
• Addressing challenges such as hybrid working and workplace loneliness

The discussion was led by Simon Gilbody, Professor of Psychological Medicine & Psychiatric Epidemiology in the Hull York Medical School (HYMS) and one of the world’s most highly cited scientists in mental health research. He was joined by HYMS Professor of Clinical Psychology, Dean McMillan.

The morning proved a wonderful opportunity to network with senior business leaders and organisational leaders, and to share and contribute ideas towards creating impactful solutions for workplace mental health.