As part of Mental Health Awareness Week 2026, we recently shared a blog about the importance of prioritising mental wellbeing in the workplace and encouraging more open conversations around mental health.
This week, we wanted to continue that conversation by sharing some valuable insights from one of our team members, Julie, who recently completed a two-day Mental Health course.
Julie chose to take part in the training because mental health support is something close to her heart. She wanted to better understand the signs that someone may be struggling and feel more confident having supportive and positive conversations about wellbeing.
Recognising the Early Signs
One of the biggest things Julie learned during the course was how important early support can be.
Mental health can affect anyone, regardless of their personality, role or background. Recognising the early signs that someone may be struggling and having supportive conversations at the right time can make a real difference.
Julie also highlighted the importance of setting healthy boundaries and remembering to prioritise your own mental health while supporting others.
The Importance of Listening Without Judgement
A key takeaway from the course was learning to listen without judgement or opinion.
As human beings, we naturally want to offer advice or share our views, but sometimes people simply need someone to listen and help them feel heard. Feeling understood and accepted can have a huge impact on someone who may be struggling.
Creating an environment where people feel safe to talk openly without fear of judgement is something we want to continue encouraging at GreenStones.
Mental Health in the Workplace
The course also encouraged greater awareness that people cannot always “leave things at the door.” Challenges both inside and outside of work can affect mental wellbeing, and pressures can impact people in very different ways.
Julie shared that moving forward, she wants to:
- Be more aware of people and the subtle signs that someone may be struggling
- Take the time to approach and support team members who may need help
- Encourage more open conversations around mental health
- Help reduce the stigma surrounding mental wellbeing
The training also reinforced the importance of taking proper breaks and encouraging one another to step away from work when things become overwhelming.
Supporting Each Other During Stressful Periods
Busy and stressful periods are something every workplace experiences, but having a supportive team culture can make those challenges easier to manage.
Julie felt one of the most important improvements teams can make is encouraging people to speak openly about workloads and ask for help when needed.
Creating a supportive environment where people feel comfortable reaching out and receiving support without judgement can help reduce feelings of stress and overwhelm.
Supporting Customers With Empathy
Mental health awareness is not only important within teams, but also when supporting customers.
Sometimes customers may be under pressure without directly saying it. Changes in behaviour, tone, frustration or difficulty making decisions can all be signs that someone may be struggling.
Being patient, approachable and understanding can help create more supportive and positive interactions.
Looking Ahead
When asked what good mental health support at GreenStones could look like in 12 months’ time, Julie spoke about the importance of:
- More open conversations around mental health
- Regular check-ins with team members
- Better awareness of the signs of stress and reduced mental wellbeing
- Team members feeling supported, valued and able to speak openly without stigma
- Encouraging everyone to prioritise their mental health
Most importantly, mental health challenges should never be viewed as weakness. Asking for support is a positive and responsible step, and something that should always be encouraged.
Continuing the Conversation
Mental Health Awareness Week may only last one week, but supporting wellbeing should continue throughout the year.
At GreenStones, we are committed to building a workplace where people feel respected, supported and comfortable speaking openly about wellbeing.
Sometimes the simplest actions, like checking in with a team member, listening properly, encouraging breaks or asking someone if they are okay can make the biggest difference.