Support in the Workplace

Workplace Support for Mental Health in Ireland

Work plays a central role in people’s lives. When workplaces actively support mental health and challenge stigma around mental illness, they create safer, more respectful and more productive environments.

Shine works with organisations across Ireland to strengthen employees’ mental health and wellbeing through structured training, policy development and meaningful staff engagement. Our Workplace Programme helps organisations move beyond awareness days and embed lasting cultural change.

Our focus is clear: to reduce stigma, build psychological safety and ensure people feel confident speaking about mental health in the workplace without fear of judgement.

Why Mental Health Matters at Work

Mental illness affects individuals, families and communities across Ireland. It also affects workplaces. When mental health is ignored, organisations may experience:

• Increased stress and burnout
• Reduced engagement and morale
• Higher absenteeism and presenteeism
• Staff turnover and reputational risk

When organisations take proactive steps to support mental health in the workplace, they see measurable benefits:

• Improved retention and staff satisfaction
• Stronger leadership capability
• More open and psychologically safe teams
• A workplace culture that challenges stigma

Shine supports organisations to move from intention to action through structured, evidence-informed programmes grounded in lived experience.

The Shine Workplace Programme

The Shine Workplace Programme is a structured six-step framework designed for Irish workplaces. It helps organisations embed mental health awareness and support into everyday practice.

The programme is informed by Shine’s national stigma-reduction work, including the Green Ribbon campaign, and reflects best practice in mental health awareness in the workplace.

Completion of the programme leads to Shine Workplace Accreditation, demonstrating a genuine commitment to supporting employees and challenging stigma.

Step 1: Train Leadership and Management

Leaders shape culture. We provide workshops for senior leaders, HR teams and line managers to:

• Understand mental health and mental illness in the workplace
• Recognise and challenge stigma
• Respond appropriately and confidently
• Build psychologically safe environments
• Signpost relevant mental health support in Ireland

Strong leadership is essential to sustainable change.

Step 2: Develop a Mental Health Policy

Shine provides guidance to help organisations develop or strengthen a clear, actionable mental health policy.

A strong policy ensures:

• Consistency in approach
• Fair and transparent processes
• Clear support pathways
• Alignment with Irish equality legislation

This creates a foundation for long-term workplace support for employees.

Step 3: Staff Training and Awareness

Mental health awareness is everyone’s responsibility.

Shine delivers interactive workshops for staff that focus on:

• Understanding mental health in the workplace
• Reducing stigma
• Promoting open conversations
• Supporting colleagues appropriately

Organisations may also engage with Shine’s Green Ribbon campaign and invite Shine Ambassadors to share lived experience perspectives. These sessions help humanise the conversation and deepen understanding.

Step 4: Empower Mental Health Champions

Champions help maintain momentum.

Organisations are encouraged to develop a visible network of trained Mental Health Champions across departments. Champions:

• Promote awareness day-to-day
• Encourage open dialogue
• Challenge stigma when it arises
• Support colleagues in seeking appropriate help

A strong Champion network embeds mental health support in workplace culture.

Step 5: Engage Your Wider Network

Cultural change does not stop at the office door.

Organisations are encouraged to publicly demonstrate their commitment to mental health awareness and support. This may include:

• Participating in the Green Ribbon campaign
• Sharing internal initiatives externally
• Encouraging sector-wide conversations

This reinforces leadership and extends positive impact beyond the workplace.

Step 6: Achieve Shine Workplace Accreditation

Organisations that complete the programme receive:

• Shine Workplace Programme certification
• Digital accreditation assets
• Recognition on Shine’s website

Accreditation signals a tangible commitment to mental health in Irish workplaces and positions your organisation as a leader in reducing stigma.

Workshops and Training Details

Duration: 2 hours (including a short break)
Format: In-person (maximum 30 participants) or online (maximum 20 participants)
Minimum attendance: 8 participants

Up to three workshops per organisation are funded by the National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP). Additional workshops can be arranged to support wider rollout.

Workshops cover:

• Understanding mental health and mental illness
• Addressing stigma
• Creating psychologically safe workplaces
• Signposting appropriate supports

Certification Requirements

To become a Shine-accredited workplace, organisations must:

• Train a proportion of senior and management staff
• Develop and implement a mental health policy
• Establish a network of Mental Health Champions
• Conduct pre- and post-programme surveys
• Submit an action plan demonstrating engagement

Shine provides ongoing support throughout the process to ensure meaningful implementation rather than a tick-box exercise.

Supporting Employees in Practice

The Workplace Programme complements existing organisational supports such as:

• Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs)
• Occupational Health services
• HR-led wellbeing initiatives

Together, these measures provide structured workplace support for employees experiencing mental health difficulties.

Reasonable Workplace Adjustments

Under Irish equality legislation, including the Employment Equality Acts, employees experiencing mental health difficulties are entitled to reasonable accommodation where appropriate.

Examples may include:

• Adjusted working hours or duties
• Phased return to work
• Time off for medical or counselling appointments

All adjustments are agreed in consultation with the employee and aim to support recovery while maintaining dignity and fairness.

Practical Guidance for Managers

Managers can make a significant difference by:

• Holding respectful, private conversations
• Listening without assumptions
• Offering practical supports and flexibility
• Maintaining appropriate contact during sick leave
• Modelling openness and non-judgement

These actions strengthen employee mental health in the workplace and reinforce a culture of trust.

Immediate Support

If someone requires immediate emotional support, Samaritans are available 24 hours a day at 116 123 (free and confidential).

In an emergency, call 112 or 999.

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Get Started

By joining the Shine Workplace Programme, your organisation can:

• Strengthen employees’ mental health and wellbeing
• Reduce stigma around mental illness
• Build psychologically safe teams
• Demonstrate genuine leadership in mental health support in the workplace

To learn more, contact:‍
workplace@shine.ie

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can the programme be adapted for different sectors?
Yes. The Shine Workplace Programme can be tailored for small, medium or largeorganisations across public, private and voluntary sectors.

Can you support remote or hybrid teams?
Yes. We provide online workshops and guidance to help organisations maintainengagement and mental health awareness in hybrid environments.

How often should mental health initiatives be reviewed?
We recommend reviewing policies, training and engagement annually to ensurethey remain effective and relevant.

Can Shine help measure impact?
Yes. Pre- and post-programme surveys help organisations track changes inawareness, confidence and workplace culture.

Are there supports for employees returning from long-termleave?
Shine provides guidance on phased return plans and supportive reintegrationpractices.

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