This World Mental Health Day, Towergate Health & Protection is encouraging employers to use the opportunity to ensure any mental health support they offer is fit for purpose, and to take into account global cultural differences.

Employers with staff overseas have the added challenge that views and attitudes to mental health differ hugely around the world. It’s not taken seriously in every country, and this can hold employees back from utilising any support they’re offered.

Employees abroad face very specific challenges that can affect their mental wellbeing – being away from friends and family, coupled with high expectations to deliver for the business – the effect of these challenges can be exacerbated when working in a culture that doesn’t openly appreciate the toll it can take.

So not only do employers with staff overseas need to ensure the support they offer is right, they need to pay particular attention to communicating it effectively and give great emphasis on encouraging its usage. This can include making support available out of hours, letting staff know that support is confidential, ensuring support is offered by people who understand their specific needs, and using every opportunity – such as World Mental Health Day – to communicate the help on offer.

If employers underestimate the impact of different cultures on mental wellbeing, it will be to the detriment of the health of their staff.