True wellbeing balances mental, physical, emotional, and social health. In a recent session led by mindfulness coach Tom Cleary, professionals explored how sharing our stories can support others, and why wellbeing should never be overlooked.
Wellbeing Differs Across Generations
One of the key takeaways from the session was how wellbeing is viewed differently across different generations. Older generations often carry the mindset of "getting on with it" and sometimes choosing not to talk about how they're really feeling, for fear of being a burden. While this resilience can be admirable, it can also lead to unspoken struggles, loneliness, and isolation.
When people don’t feel safe or supported to speak up, especially in the workplace, it can lead to feelings of embarrassment or guilt about their mental state.
The Cost of Always Putting Others First
We often hear the phrase “you can’t pour from an empty cup,” and it couldn’t be more relevant here. When we constantly put others before ourselves, our own wellbeing suffers. This emotional labour, the unseen energy spent caring for and supporting others can become overwhelming.
A term that came up often during the group session was the “work mum”. Many workplaces have someone who naturally becomes the go-to person when someone is struggling. But what happens when the “work mum” has no one supporting them?
Kat’s story (name changed) brought this to life. Known as the work mum in her team, she carried her colleagues’ worries long after the workday ended. She’d be at home wondering if someone was okay instead of looking after her own needs. Over time, this emotional weight began affecting her personal life. Her story reminded everyone in the room of the importance of boundaries, and how vital it is for carers to be cared for too.
Helping Others Without Taking It All On
Supporting others is a beautiful thing but there’s a fine line between empathy and emotional dumping. When someone regularly offloads their issues onto you, it can begin to affect your own mental health. So how can you be a supportive peer, without carrying the emotional load yourself?
- Listen actively, but don’t take ownership of someone else’s problems.
- Encourage them to access professional support.
- Set healthy boundaries around how and when you're available to talk.
- Share your own experiences, not to compare, but to show they’re not alone.
Men’s Mental Health and Movember
The conversation also touched on a crucial and timely issue: men’s mental health. Movember is a movement that shines a light on this topic every November but it’s a conversation we need year-round.
A surprising statistic from the Mental Health Foundation (2025) revealed that only 36% of NHS talking therapy referrals are men. It’s a clear sign that stigma still exists. Whether it’s pride, fear, or cultural expectations, too many men are suffering in silence. The workplace can be a vital space for changing that.
Mental Health Foundation | Everyone deserves good mental health
Tools That Can Help: Wellness Action Plans (WAP)
One practical tool discussed during the session was the Wellness Action Plan (WAP). These confidential documents allow individuals to outline what helps them stay mentally well at work and how others can support them when they’re struggling.
WAPs are not just for people with a diagnosed mental health condition they’re for everyone. They encourage open, proactive conversations about mental health and offer structure to those conversations.
Some benefits include:
- Encouraging open communication
- Helping managers understand how to support team members
- Reducing stress by putting feelings into writing
- Providing a reference point for ongoing wellbeing conversations
What People Took Away
The feedback from the room was overwhelmingly positive:
“Definitely will implement as soon as possible, it was really eye-opening.”
“Where I work, we send out weekly emails on wellbeing, so finding out more information from this group was helpful as I can now include new information in these emails.”
“Brings light to areas that may have been forgotten. I’ll relook into and remind people of wellness action plans and update our plans if we already have one in place.”
The room was full of people committed to making their workplaces healthier, more compassionate environments. And it’s clear that when people are given the space to learn and share, it creates a ripple effect changing cultures one conversation at a time.
Final Thought: Lead with Empathy, Protect Your Energy
Wellbeing isn’t about fixing people; it’s about creating the conditions where people can care for themselves and feel safe to ask for support. Whether you're the “work mum,” a team leader, or someone quietly struggling, your wellbeing matters.
Remember: Supporting others doesn’t mean sacrificing yourself. When we take care of ourselves first, we’re better equipped to help others sustainably and compassionately.