Building your workplace community – how a positive network will support your mental health at work

Mental Health Awareness Week, which this year falls on 12^th to 18^th May, acts as a timely reminder that wellbeing at work goes far beyond individual resilience. It is also about the opportunities we have to build a strong community around us to act as a support system. As HR professionals, we are in a unique position in our role of shaping workplace culture with a focus on prioritising connection, support and shared development.

The theme this year focuses on the power of community and celebrating meaningful connections to promote stronger mental health. Today the workplace is fast paced with many employees operating in a hybrid working model, therefore the chance to create intentional and positive networks is key to feeling a sense of belonging at work and should be seen as a necessity to each and every employee.

Why does community matter for your mental health?

When employees feel isolated, unseen or disconnected you will often see this directly impact staff morale and productivity, as well as increasing presenteeism or absence levels. Many medical professionals advocate for the importance of having strong support networks as they can help improve stress levels as well as symptoms of anxiety and depression, which therefore will increase job satisfaction.

As HR professionals, our role extends way beyond policies and employee benefits, we create and nurture the culture of our workplace. It is key that as part of your people strategy, you have a focus on wellbeing and ensure you build a sense of community for your employees, where individuals feel valued, connected and that their contribution plays a key role to the success of the wider business.

Key steps that HR professionals can action to build a supportive workplace network

1. Foster a safe and inclusive space

Encourage open and honest conversations about mental health, diminishing the stigma that surrounds the fear of opening up. Psychological safety should be a natural part of everyday work life, not just a future goal for your workplace culture. Host regular wellbeing check-ins and make use of charities such as Mind or the Mental Health Foundation to support this initiative. Look to allocate trusted employees into roles such as Mental Health First Aider or a Workplace Listener in order to support your strategy.  For more information, read our guide on cultivating an inclusive workplace.

2. Support networking, both professional and personal

Having authentic connections at work can help employees thrive, especially when dedicated time is carved out and you provide your people with the right tools to build those relationships, offering mentoring programmes to support the growth of your employees. Offering social events, no matter how big or small, can create pathways for both career growth and a network of emotional support.

3. Embed community early

First impressions are vital, and they really do count. Make sure that your employees are introduced to internal development networks from the start of their employee lifecycle and highlight the resources you offer as an Employer to support your people. This will align with your initiatives to create employee belonging as soon as possible.

4. Empower mental health champions

Culture starts from the top so training your leaders and managers on offering their teams support is key. Equip your managers with training that emphasis empathy, active listening and early intervention skills. The relationships they have with their employees will feed into that wider culture piece.

5. Build lasting networks

Creating strong communities isn’t all about grand initiatives, it is about focusing on consistency, care, and inclusive practices. Whether it’s a coffee morning, mentorship, or simply checking in with a colleague, small and genuine actions contribute to a workplace culture where people feel connected and valued. Highlighting success stories of collaboration and connection will feed into your positive environment overall and will allow for the focus of community to be seen as an achievement rather than an afterthought.

As we look to recognise the importance of mental health and wellbeing for the future, let’s think bigger than just ourselves but also about the collective strength we can build when we prioritise community within our workplace. Together we can then create a culture where psychological safety is championed, stigmas are broken, and every employee thrives.