10 October

World Mental Health Day: Why Mental Health and Happiness at Work Matter

Earlier this week, to mark World Mental Health Day and International Week of Happiness at Work, The Lord Mayor’s Appeal hosted a special “This Is Me” panel event, exploring how organisations can drive ‘happiness’ at work. 

The event was chaired by Phil Canale, Head of Workplace Wellbeing at MindForward Alliance and Chair of the Lord Mayor’s Appeal This is Me Programme Steering Group. As many organisations refer to terms such as belonging or engagement rather than happiness, Phil encouraged attendees to "use whatever word works for you… and think of happiness as a proxy for that".

Jane Lovibond, Senior Vice Present, Middle Office Operations at BNY and Global Co-Chair of HEART, BNY’s Diverse Abilities Network launched the event with opening remarks thanking everyone for attending, emphasising that "together we will be able to create those workplaces that not only support wellbeing but also inspire happiness, purpose and connection". 

The panel discussion was moderated by Donna Smith, HR Partner at Lambert Smith Hampton and included: 

• Laura Young, Director and Global Head of Wellbeing at BNY 
• Adam Day, Senior Policy Analyst in Sterling Markets at the Bank of England 
• Tracey Lenthall, HR Director at PwC 

 
Together, they explored how organisations can foster wellbeing, belonging and happiness in increasingly complex workplaces. 

Mental Health and Wellbeing Challenges 

As awareness grows, so does the understanding that long-term chronic stress can lead to illness. Creating happier, healthier workplaces is not a simple task. 

Laura Young reflected that it’s “complex and hard for organisations,” but also emphasised the power of intentional leadership and deliberate actions. At BNY, this has meant rethinking belonging – through leadership clarity, meaningful communication of purpose and values, and even rebranding with bright, energetic colours to reflect a more connected culture. Small gestures such as free coffee and ice cream Thursdays have added up to a positive tone and sense of community. 

Adam Day reminded us that no one has all the answers. For him, the key lies in tapping into what people care about most. As Chair of the Bank of England’s Mental Health Network, Adam spoke about the importance of creating space for awareness, through mental health networks, awareness days, and open conversations. 

The discussion highlighted that barriers to happiness often come down to: 

• Time – the biggest barrier of all; people need permission to take time for themselves. 
• Constant availability – the challenge of always being connected. 
• Workload and deliverable pressure – the pace of modern work leaves little breathing space. 
• Isolation and loneliness – especially for those who started work during the pandemic. 
• Addressing these barriers means rethinking workplace culture – encouraging trust, openness, and a new narrative around happiness as a driver of high performance, not a distraction from it. 

Building Connection and Culture 

Both the panel and participants agreed that fun and wellbeing can’t be forced or orchestrated, but they can be encouraged through culture. Examples included: 

• Buddy schemes that connect colleagues and make it easier to ask “silly questions.” 
• Suggestion boxes and feedback sessions that give everyone a voice. 
• Reciprocal meetings where both sides gain from the exchange. 
• Outdoor activities and informal moments of connection that strengthen relationships. 
• When employees feel connected, heard and supported, it builds a workplace that’s not only happier but also more resilient and high-functioning. 

Mental Health at Work Matters: Check out Our Resources 

We all need support from time to time. When employees feel comfortable speaking about mental health, it’s good for people, good for society, and good for business. 

Our “This Is Me” programme provides organisations with tools and resources to support mental health and wellbeing at work. These include: 

• This Is Me Storytelling – empowering people to share their personal experiences of mental health. 
• The Green Ribbon Campaign – a visible symbol of support for ending the stigma around mental health. 
• Our Resource Hub – filled with guidance to help people talk about mental health confidently. 
  
  

Click here to access all our resources to support mental health and wellbeing at work.