Why authentic communication around mental health matters

Amy Metzelaar, Harris Creative’s PR account manager and one of our resident mental health first aiders offers advice on how to improve your company’s conversations about wellbeing,

The Chartered Institute of Building’s latest report, Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025, shows both areas of progress and concern and its publication during Mental Health Awareness Week is of course no coincidence.

The report makes for interesting reading and claims that over half of construction professionals now have access to mental health first aiders and 77 per cent have been encouraged to engage with wellbeing initiatives. However many people are sadly still suffering in silence, with a staggering 28 per cent of those surveyed having experienced suicidal thoughts in the past year. The report makes a number of recommendations about how organisations can take more proactive measures to help employees manage their mental health. This includes improving communications to raise awareness and promote mental wellbeing to address the worrying number of respondents that claimed to feel unsupported by their employers and unsure how to support their peers.

At Harris Creative, we believe that real support starts with meaningful communications that lead to conversations that can quite literally save lives. All companies have a responsibility to protect their employees’ mental and physical wellbeing but how these initiatives are conveyed can make a huge difference. From internal comms campaigns, intranet content and colleague newsletters to the information shared on your externally facing website and social media channels, wellbeing should never be seen as a buzzword. The content and information you share must reflect genuine action and tangible support. Thanks to our talented team here at Harris Creative, we can help clients make meaningful connections through thoughtful and strategic communication.

Why a good internal communications strategy speaks volumes

A good internal communications strategy is very much the backbone of creating a culture of wellbeing in the workplace but this type of messaging needs to be considerately shared amongst other important company news and updates. Good communications can help build trust and a sense of community and this is true whether your target audience is your customers or your colleagues.

At Harris, we have years of experience of helping our clients to develop wellbeing communication strategies that fit their culture and goals. This might include regular newsletters that provide updates on mental health support, spotlight stories from employees, sharing practical wellbeing tips on the team intranet and of course, signposting colleagues to relevant resources. A regular and reliable internal communication programme can act as a consistent touchpoint to let people know their wellbeing is on the agenda all year round.

Keep communication accessible and inclusive

Team newsletters and regular emails can provide a great foundation for an internal communication strategy that highlights wellbeing but there’s so much more that can, and should, be done. To support written content, why not consider video interviews with your internal wellbeing champions and mental health first aiders?  

We know that not every team member works at a desk, so it’s important to think differently. From eye-catching posters and leaflets that can be distributed in breakout spaces to helping create relevant content and collateral to support regular team briefings, it’s all about making sure the message reaches everyone, no matter their role or location. Effective internal communication is not one size fits all. It’s a blend of different content that builds connection and reassures your team that they’re supported but also gives them the confidence to reach out if they’re struggling.

Going beyond awareness days

There’s no doubt that awareness days and national campaigns, like Mental Health Awareness Week, are valuable opportunities to highlight support and create conversation. But the real impact comes when these moments are backed by year-round action. After all, an authentic wellbeing strategy doesn’t start and stop with a social media post.

At Harris Creative, we help clients develop and promote awareness campaigns that reflect their genuine commitment to mental health. That might mean planning initiatives with input from people across the business, so they resonate with real experiences and give a more rounded insight into everything that you are doing. When these stories are captured authentically and shared thoughtfully, they show your commitment to looking after your people and engaging in real conversations,

We also work with clients to ensure their social media presence reflects what’s really happening inside the business. Whether you’re aiming to attract new recruits, engage with existing staff, or show leadership in your sector, it’s crucial that your outward-facing messages are backed by meaningful internal action. For more information on how to responsibly engage in awareness days, visit our Resources section for ideas, guidance and practical tools.

Wellbeing at Harris

We know the importance of practicing what we preach. That’s why at Harris Creative, mental health and wellbeing are integral to how we work and aren’t just topics we talk about during awareness weeks!

We’ve trained mental health first aiders across the business so there’s always someone available to listen and provide further support and information. We’ve also introduced Early Finish Fridays on the last Friday of each month, giving everyone a chance to switch off and protect that all-important work-life balance. Beyond that, our flexible working culture and open approach to conversations around mental health mean our team knows that their wellbeing really does come first.

To learn more about our own journey, you can read our recent blog on how Harris is making wellbeing work for everyone.

Let’s create something better

Supporting mental health in construction, or any industry, requires more than good intentions. It takes clear, compassionate internal communications, meaningful marketing campaigns and above all, a long-term commitment to change.

If you’re ready to develop a wellbeing strategy that’s more than skin-deep, we’d love to help. At Harris Creative, we’ll work with you to build internal engagement, communicate your initiatives authentically and help create conversations that help everyone,  every day of the year.

Top tips

Plan meaningful campaigns: We’ll help you shape initiatives that align with your company’s individual values, involve your people, and make a difference to how you are perceived.

Create multi-channel content: Whether it’s a behind-the-scenes video, a Q&A with your mental health first aiders, or a carousel for Instagram, we make sure your important messages are both seen and heard.

Amplify your impact: Social media is a powerful way to showcase your efforts to future recruits and industry peers—but only when what you say online matches what’s happening inside your organisation. We can help you create balance between your external and internal messages that stays true to your values and your goals.