Mental Health Awareness Week 2026: Protect your people

Mental Health Awareness Week (11–17 May 2026) provides a valuable opportunity for businesses to reflect on how they support the mental wellbeing of the people they rely on to keep them going.

For SMEs, where teams are smaller and roles more interconnected, the impact of mental ill health can be felt quickly. Even one person struggling can have a significant impact across the wider workforce – affecting individuals, productivity and overall business resilience. That makes early support and a positive culture even more important.

Why mental wellbeing matters at work

Mental health challenges affect organisations of every size:

• Around 1 in 4 people in the UK experience a mental health issue each year
• More than 17 million working days are lost annually due to stress, anxiety or depression
• Poor mental wellbeing costs UK employers an estimated £42 billion to £45 billion annually through presenteeism, sickness absence and staff turnover

Building an environment where employees feel supported, listened to and able to speak openly helps create psychological safety – making it more likely that people will seek help early, before issues escalate. It also shows employees that they are valued, which can strengthen engagement, connection to work and overall productivity.

Alongside culture and leadership, providing clear, consistent mental health support can help reinforce this approach in day-to-day working life.

Practical support for SMEs

At Medigold Health, we understand that this support needs to be practical, easy to use and fit seamlessly into everyday operations — especially for SMEs operating with more limited resources.

That’s why our Protect occupational health package incorporates proactive wellbeing tools, including the Thrive Mental Wellbeing app.

Thrive allows employees to access confidential, on-demand support, wherever they are and whenever they need it, to help them manage stress and anxiety, improve mood and build positive mental health habits.

Alongside Thrive, Protect also includes unlimited access to a range of essential occupational health services:

• Management referrals, including telephone, video and face-to-face consultations
• GP report reviews
• New starter health questionnaires
• A clinical advice line offering practical guidance from experienced occupational health professionals

You’ll also benefit from support from a dedicated Client Relationship Manager.

Supporting mental wellbeing in your workforce

Looking after your people’s mental wellbeing should be a priority all year round, not just during Mental Health Awareness Week – and it doesn’t need to feel overwhelming. What makes the difference is access to practical support that works alongside the realities of running a business.

To find out how Protect can deliver this for your organisation, visit our website or speak to our team.

Experience 5-star Occupational Health with Protect

“We have never had Occupational Health before, so the Protect service has been fantastic.”

Britta Wicks, Head of HR Ecosulis

“The support in mental health and wellbeing alone deserves five stars! Let alone all the other services offered.”

Amar Kaursingh, Brooklands College