What now after World Mental Health Day passes?

Every year, World Mental Health Day brings mental health back into the spotlight but this is something that shouldn't be confined to a one-day activity.

World Mental Health Day provides a useful annual moment to start the conversation. But the more important question is what happens afterwards, particularly as the clocks go back and winter approaches. According to NHS estimates, around one in five people in the UK report feeling low during the winter months.

Are employees getting the support they need?

It's easy to assume you're doing enough. Most employers do. But Epassi’s Great Employee Benefits Study 2026 found a 15-point gap between employers who believe they support employee wellbeing and employees who agree.

That doesn't necessarily mean employers aren't investing. It suggests a gap between what's offered and what employees actually experience. Mental health counselling is the most wanted wellbeing benefit among UK employees, with 71% saying they would value it, yet it remains one of the most under-delivered.

Burnout isn't a future problem

The same study found that one in five European employees say their workload isn't sustainable in the long term. The 2025 TELUS Mental Health Index found that 28% of UK workers say work stress is already disrupting their sleep.

There's a direct link to retention too. The study found a 27-point gap in retention intent between employees with high and low benefit satisfaction: 86% of satisfied employees expect to stay with their employer in two years, compared with 59% of those who are dissatisfied.

That makes prevention increasingly important. Rather than waiting until employees need urgent support, employers can make wellbeing part of the everyday employee experience.

From awareness to prevention

Moving towards proactive wellbeing doesn't necessarily mean adding more initiatives. It can start with understanding what employees want and making the right support easier to access.

This year's World Mental Health Day theme is "Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change", and for employers, that's a direct challenge. Are you listening to what your employees are telling you, and does your benefits offering reflect it?

Physical activity is a good example. Movement reduces stress, improves sleep and builds resilience, exactly the things UK employees say they're struggling with.

Yet, while 75% of UK employees say fitness benefits are important when choosing an employer, only 41% have access to one, according to Epassi’s Great Employee Benefits Study 2026. Closing that gap isn't just a physical health decision. For many employees, it's a mental health one too.

The study also found that 67% of UK employees would feel more committed to their employer if it prioritised their wellbeing over a pay rise. Done well, wellbeing isn't an annual campaign. It's part of how organisations support, engage and retain their people.

Meaningful support isn't about saying the right thing on the right day. It's about making sure employees know where to turn and can access what they need.

So, what does your mental health support look like throughout the winter?