Workplace Mental Health and Neurodiversity:
Your Questions Answered
For over 20 years I've been asked the same questions by managers, HR leaders and colleagues who want to do the right thing but don't know where to start. Here are my honest answers. No jargon, no fluff, just what actually works.
Your Duty of Care, Explained
What are an employer's responsibilities for mental health at work?
Yes, you have legal duties around mental health. But the employers who only do the legal minimum are missing the point entirely.
First Aid for the Mind
What is a Mental Health First Aider and what does the training cover?
Physical first aiders are in every workplace. So why not mental health? Here's what an MHFAider actually does, and what the training involves.
Support That Actually Works
How do I support neurodivergent colleagues at work?
Forget grand gestures. Supporting neurodivergent colleagues starts with clear communication, sensory awareness, and asking one brilliant question.
Culture Beats Policy Every Time
How do you build a mentally healthy workplace culture?
You can't policy your way to a healthy culture. It's built in small moments, led from the top, and modelled before it's mandated.
Burnout Is Not a Badge
What are the signs of burnout, and what should I do about it?
Exhaustion, cynicism, and the creeping sense that nothing you do matters. Burnout has three faces, and rest alone won't fix it.
The Truth About Vulnerability
Is it safe to be vulnerable at work, and what do you do when it isn't?
"Bring your whole self to work" is easy to say. But is it actually safe? An honest answer to the question nobody asks out loud.
When a Colleague Isn't Okay
How do I support a colleague who is struggling with their mental health?
Someone's just told you they're not okay. Your next 60 seconds matter more than you think. Here's what to do, and what not to.
Small Changes, Big Difference
What is a reasonable adjustment, and what does it look like in practice?
Reasonable adjustments have a scary legal reputation. In reality, most cost little or nothing, and they benefit everyone.
The £51 Billion Question
How much does poor mental health cost UK employers?
£51 billion a year. Or another way to look at it £3000 per person per year.
That's Deloitte's latest figure. Here's where the money goes, and why the biggest cost is the one you can't see.
iPhone v Android Brains
What is neurodiversity in the workplace?
Around 1 in 7 people in the UK are neurodivergent. Here's what that actually means, and why the iPhone versus Android comparison changes everything.
Beyond the Fruit Bowl
What should a workplace wellbeing policy include?
A wellbeing policy that lives in a drawer protects nobody. Here's what a genuinely useful one contains.
Spotting the Signs Early
How do I spot the signs that someone is struggling at work?
People rarely announce they're struggling. But they do show you. The key is noticing change, not symptoms.