You’ve got a (work) friend in me.
Work besties are the best. They’re more than just colleagues—they're the people who make the long hours more enjoyable, the tough days more bearable, and the milestones more memorable. Spending 40 hours a week together means they often know us better than most, sometimes too well! Whether it’s lending an ear to vent about noisy neighbours, comforting them through breakups, or celebrating life’s biggest milestones, we’d do just about anything for them.
Now, take a moment to think about this: What would you and your workplace do to support a colleague diagnosed with a serious physical illness?
Would you...
Offer a shoulder to cry on?
Ask how you could help?
Assist with their workload?
Call or visit them in hospital?
Organise a “get well soon” card for everyone to sign?
Send flowers or deliver a home-cooked meal?
Host a morning tea to raise awareness or funds for their treatment?
Most of us wouldn’t hesitate to rally around a colleague in need, showing compassion and support. It’s almost instinctual—we want them to know they’re not alone, that we care deeply, and that we’re there for them during their time of need.
But now let’s flip the scenario: What happens when someone in the workplace is diagnosed with a mental illness?
Does the level of support look the same?
Would we still rally behind them in the same way?
In my experience working across various industries, I’ve signed countless get-well cards, chipped in for flowers, and even helped organise fundraisers for colleagues facing physical illnesses. But when it comes to mental illness, I can’t recall a single instance where this level of collective support was offered.
Why the Difference?
It’s certainly not because mental illness isn’t common. We know the statistics: one in five Australians experience a mental illness each year, and many of these occur during prime working years. Mental illness is a reality in every workplace, even the most progressive and supportive environments.
Nor is it because mental illness is less impactful. Research shows that conditions like anxiety and depression can cause significant levels of disability, including impairing someone’s ability to work. If you’ve completed Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training, you understand just how comparable the effects of mental and physical illnesses can be.
So why does the response differ so drastically?
Breaking Down the Barriers
The gap in support often stems from stigma and misunderstanding. Mental illness is still surrounded by myths and misconceptions, leaving many unsure of how to offer support—or worse, afraid of saying the wrong thing. While most of us wouldn’t hesitate to help someone with a broken leg or a cancer diagnosis, we might feel uncomfortable or ill-equipped when faced with a colleague experiencing depression or anxiety.
This hesitation isn’t malicious—it reflects broader societal attitudes that have historically treated mental health as a taboo subject. Thankfully, this is beginning to change, but there’s still work to be done to ensure that mental health is treated with the same level of compassion and care as physical health.
How Workplaces Can Close the Gap
Foster Awareness and Education
Equip staff and leaders with the knowledge and tools to recognise mental health challenges and respond appropriately. Programs like Mental Health First Aid empower teams to provide effective, compassionate support.Normalise Conversations About Mental Health
Make mental health a regular part of workplace discussions. Celebrate days like R U OK? Day, and ensure leaders model openness and vulnerability.Provide Clear Support Pathways
Ensure employees know where to turn for help, such as Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) or mental health resources.Create a Culture of Care
Just as you’d deliver meals or sign a get-well card for a colleague with a physical illness, extend the same gestures to someone navigating a mental health challenge. A simple “thinking of you” message can make a world of difference.
A Call to Action
It’s time to ask ourselves: How can we, as individuals and organisations, close the gap in support for mental and physical health? Mental health matters just as much, and with small, intentional actions, we can ensure our colleagues feel just as cared for when they’re struggling mentally as they would if they were facing a physical illness.
Let’s lead the way in creating workplaces where support, kindness, and empathy are the norm—for everyone, no matter the challenge.
Although we have come a long way, there still seems to be a fear about talking openly about mental illness, that it is taboo or shouldn’t be discussed in the workplace. While it is important to respect a colleague’s right to privacy if they so choose, it also is important that workplaces are supportive environments where mental illnesses can be talked about as openly as we talk about physical illnesses. Brushing it underneath the carpet just adds to the stigma that unfortunately still lingers today.
So, if in the future a friend or colleague discloses a mental illness and you are not sure how to help, ask yourself what would I do if it was a physical illness or injury. And do that.
At the end of the day, all we want to do is show the person we care and that they are not alone. Because that’s what (work) friends are for.