"You don’t need to be a mental health expert to support someone at work," says Emily Talbot, service manager at Rethink Mental Illness Coventry & Warwickshire Employment Service. "The most important things are empathy, open communication, and flexibility."  

"It starts with honest conversations and simply asking, 'How can I support you?'

"For some people, that support might look like regular check-ins or adjustments to hours or workload. For others, it could just mean knowing they can ask for help when they need it.

"Reasonable adjustments can make a big difference, but the most powerful thing is creating a culture where people feel safe to be open, supported, and heard.

"In turn, this builds a healthy, inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive."