This Mental Health Awareness week, I’m sharing a personal story from a connection in my community; Natalie Taylor, Diversity Specialist and Mental Health First Aider at PSR. 

Natalie shares a personal journey of learning to show self-compassion while advocating for mental health and inclusion at work and explores how creating supportive communities—through Mental Health First Aid and Employee Resource Groups—can break stigma, build connection, and help people feel truly seen and valued in the workplace. 

Here’s Natalie’s story:

As a Diversity Specialist and Mental Health First Aider, I’ve spent a lot of time advocating for inclusion, support, and safe spaces in the workplace. However, for a long time, I struggled to extend that same compassion to myself. 

Like many others, I’ve faced the quiet weight of anxiety and the overwhelming grip of panic attacks. Speaking openly about my experiences wasn’t easy at first, but over time, I discovered that sharing my story not only helped me, it helps others feel less alone. 

Through building mental health communities in the workplace, especially via our Mental Health First Aid programme, I’ve seen first-hand the power of connection. In this article, I want to explore how community can be a lifeline – for breaking stigma, building confidence, and creating workplaces where we can all show up as our whole selves.

Research consistently demonstrates a strong link between workplace mental health and employee wellbeing, productivity, and retention. Studies show that companies that prioritise mental health support experience reduced absenteeism, increased engagement, and improved employee retention. Poor mental health in the workplace can lead to decreased productivity, higher healthcare costs, and even increased turnover. 

Key Findings and Statistics:

• A significant portion of employees experience mental health challenges, with some studies showing that approximately 1 in 5 employees report symptoms of a mental health condition.  
• Poor mental health can negatively impact work performance, leading to lower productivity, increased sickness absence, and even job loss due to stress.  
• Workplace mental health initiatives, such as training for managers, access to counselling & mental health first aid, and fostering a culture of open communication, can lead to a 30% reduction in mental health-related absences and a 20% increase in employee retention.  

One of the most impactful ways I’ve seen connection flourish in the workplace is through Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). These voluntary, employee-led groups bring people together around shared identities, experiences, or interests and they are a vital source of support and belonging.

For those navigating mental health challenges, marginalisation, or simply seeking community, ERGs offer more than just a social space – they offer solidarity. They help employees feel seen, heard, valued, and they create a ripple effect across organisations. Through ERGs, individuals are empowered to speak up, advocate for change, and support one another through both personal and professional challenges.

As a Diversity Specialist and Mental Health First Aider, I’ve witnessed how ERGs can be the heartbeat of inclusion efforts. Whether it’s a mental health network, A Women’s ERG, or a community for LGBTQ+ colleagues, these spaces often become a source of healing. They open the door for honest conversations and reduce the isolation so many feel when they’re struggling in silence.

Importantly, ERGs are also powerful catalysts for change. By amplifying employee voices, they shape policies, influence culture, and help leaders better understand the needs of their workforce. They bring the human experience to the forefront of workplace strategy.

We know that feeling connected at work can make all the difference but for many contractors, especially those outside of our Employee Resource Groups, that sense of belonging can sometimes feel out of reach. That’s why we created our Mental Health First Aid Programme, a support network available to both our internal PSR colleagues and our wider contractor community. It’s free to access, and it offers a safe, confidential space to connect with fully trained Mental Health First Aiders people who are ready to listen, support, and help others feel less alone.

Fostering connection in the workplace isn’t just a “nice to have”; it’s essential. Whether through Mental Health First Aid programmes or Employee Resource Groups, creating safe spaces where people feel they belong can be life changing.

I’ve seen time and time again how powerful these communities can be. People who once stayed silent about their struggles begin to open up. They find the courage to seek support, to share their stories, and to stand a little taller – because they see others doing the same. That kind of visibility, that kind of collective strength, can shift culture in profound ways.

When we build communities that are rooted in empathy, trust, and inclusion, we don’t just support individual wellbeing we transform workplaces into spaces where everyone can thrive.

“Speaking openly about my experiences wasn’t easy at first, but over time, I discovered that sharing my story not only helped me, it helps others feel less alone” Natalie Taylor PSR Diversity Specialist & Mental Health First Aider