How does mental health training boost employee retention?

Good mental health is a fundamental part of a healthy, productive workplace. More and more organisations recognise that supporting mental wellbeing isn’t just good for people, it’s good for business too.

When employees feel understood, supported, and safe to be themselves, they’re far more likely to stay engaged and committed to their work.

That’s where mental health training makes a real difference. By giving teams the skills and confidence to talk openly about mental health, spot the signs of someone who might be struggling, and respond appropriately, businesses can build a more supportive culture from the ground up.

The result? Stronger relationships, fewer people burning out, and greater staff retention over the long term.

Let’s take a closer look at the connection between good workplace mental health training and employee retention.

Why employee retention matters

According to research by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), it costs you 6 to 9 months' wages every time you replace a salaried employee.

Their breakdown, by annual salary:

• 16% of the annual salary of your employees earning under £30,000.
• 20% of the annual salary of employees earning between £30,000 and £50,000. So, it’ll cost £8,000 to replace that £40,000 p.a. manager that’s just left.
• Up to 213% to fill executive positions. Yes, that’s a potential cost of £213,000 for a £100,000 CEO position.

The costs of a high staff turnover encompass:

• Loss of productivity while you fill the staffing gap
• All the elements involved in recruiting a new staff member: advertising, recruitment agency fees, screening and interviewing time, assessment tech
• Embedding the new hire: New equipment, training cost, time to learn = slower productivity

You don’t just lose financially. You lose the institutional knowledge built up by employees over time. A high staff turnover often negatively impacts morale for the team left behind and sometimes triggers a snowball of other resignations. It can also do reputational damage to your organisation, meaning you lose out on attracting top talent. And if you don’t actively look after your employees, you're inevitably going to lose them to your competition.

Employee engagement is key for your employees and your bottom line

You don’t just want people physically ‘at work’ – successful organisations need their employees to be actively engaged in their roles.

According to a 2024 Gallup survey, “$9.6 trillion in productivity would be added to the economy if the global workforce was fully engaged. That would represent a 9% increase in global GDP.”

Given how much time we all spend at work, it’s no surprise that “Half of employees who are engaged at work are thriving in life overall, compared with only a third of employees who are not engaged.”

This global picture is rather disheartening. And that’s just one set of statistics that all tell the same story. But it’s not really a surprise, is it?

The brilliant thing about being a leader is that you have the power to make things better for your employees – and get their best selves at work.

How employee loyalty contributes to better team performance, morale, and organisational growth

Employee loyalty brings stability, energy, and cohesion to a workplace. When people feel genuinely supported and choose to stay, the whole organisation benefits. Some of the key benefits include:

• Better team performance and morale: Loyal employees are more motivated, collaborative, and committed – boosting productivity and lifting team spirit.
  
  
• Stronger organisational growth: A stable, experienced workforce drives consistent progress and helps maintain momentum through well-managed change.
  
  
• Enhanced reputation as an employer: People talk. And they talk about work a lot. A supportive culture attracts top talent because they hear about how fabulous your organisation is from the people who already work there.
  
  
• Higher employee engagement: If your staff spend their working hours feeling resentful and constantly looking for greener grass, they’re not going to be highly engaged with the actual work. Staff who are loyal are more likely to take initiative, contribute ideas, and go the extra mile because they feel their investment is valued. So you get the most out of their talents, time and new ideas.
  
  
• Better teamwork and innovation: Trust and long-term relationships create the conditions for creative thinking and stronger collaboration.
  
  
• Lower absenteeism and presenteeism: A healthy, supportive environment means fewer people off sick or struggling through the day unwell.

Loyalty isn't something you can mandate, but when you invest in your people’s mental health and wellbeing at work, it often follows naturally.

So, how can mental health training help you develop employee loyalty and increase staff retention…?

The link between mental health training and employee retention

A toxic workplace culture is ten times more likely to provoke a resignation than salary potential. This startling information is from a recent research into the complex reasons behind ‘The Great Resignation’ that started in 2021.

When organisations take mental wellbeing seriously, it has a ripple effect across the whole workplace. Mental health training plays a key role in this because it gives leaders and teams the tools to better understand and support each other.

Here’s how supporting employees’ mental wellbeing links directly to stronger retention:

• Job satisfaction: When people feel mentally well, they’re more likely to enjoy their work, feel confident in their role, and experience a sense of purpose and fulfilment.
  
  
• Engagement and motivation: A supportive culture helps people stay focused and energised, reducing burnout and keeping motivation levels high.
  
  
• Trust in leadership: Leaders who are equipped to talk openly about mental health build credibility and trust. Staff are more likely to stick with managers who genuinely care about their well-being.
  
  
• Loyalty to the company: When employees feel seen as whole people, not just a payroll number, they’re far more likely to stay committed over the long term.

In short, when mental well-being is woven into the culture through training and everyday practices, it creates a workplace where people want to stay – not just because they have to, but because they choose to.

Mental health training reduces stigma

Good mental health training reduces stigma surrounding mental health. When people feel they have to hide their struggles, it can lead to silence, shame, and ultimately, absence.

For example, some people who have been on long-term sick leave for mental ill health are often too embarrassed to return, and just leave for other employment.

But when you have expert-led training, it:

• Opens up honest conversations: Training creates a shared language and understanding, helping staff and managers talk more openly about mental health.
  
  
• Encourages early support-seeking: When stigma is reduced, employees are more likely to ask for help early on, before things reach crisis point.
  
  
• Reduces long-term absence: A supportive, well-trained team can make the difference between someone returning confidently or quietly leaving for another job.
  
  
• Builds a culture of understanding: When everyone is on the same page, there’s less judgement, more empathy, and a stronger sense of psychological safety.
  
  
• Prevents talent loss: With the right training and a clear mental health strategy in place, employees are far more likely to stay, recover well, and continue to contribute.

Reducing stigma isn’t about ticking boxes. Investment in mental health training shows that you’re serious about building a culture where everyone feels able to bring their whole self to work, and to stay for the long term.

Build a culture of care and support

At the heart of every thriving workplace is a culture where people feel genuinely cared for. Mental health training can be a powerful starting point. It equips teams with the skills to listen, respond with empathy, and create a safe space for open conversations.

Care isn’t just a brand value – it’s a practical foundation for a stronger, more connected workplace.

Empower managers to deal with mental health-related concerns

Equipping your managers with the right mental health training is essential for creating a workplace culture where employees feel psychologically safe, supported, and respected.

When leaders are trained to recognise the early warning signs of mental health concerns, they are better able to intervene appropriately and sensitively – helping to address issues before they escalate into long-term sickness or crisis situations.

With proper training, your managers and team leaders will confidently navigate conversations around mental health – from preparing an employee for a doctor’s appointment to planning a structured return-to-work process. This might include phased returns, reduced hours, or flexible responsibilities, all tailored to the individual’s needs and capacity.

By leading with empathy and informed action, managers and team leaders play a pivotal role in reducing stigma, improving outcomes, handling trauma, and ensuring mental health is effectively managed across your organisation.

Ultimately, well-prepared leaders help build healthier, more resilient teams where concerns are addressed early and recovery is supported in a meaningful, sustainable way.

Improve overall workplace wellbeing

You’re in such a great position! The right mental health training will improve employee wellbeing across your organisation. Proactively addressing workplace stress leads to happier, more focused teams, boosted productivity and engagement, and reduced staff turnover.

Alongside this, well-being-focused cultures attract top talent because job seekers are increasingly prioritising workplaces that genuinely care. Highlighting your mental health initiatives during recruitment, such as flexible work options or wellbeing budgets, shows you walk the talk.

By building a culture that genuinely supports mental health, businesses not only improve day-to-day well-being but also lay the foundation for long-term success. A workplace that invests in its people’s resilience is one where everyone is able to do their best work.

Actionable steps to boost employee retention with mental health training

Tackling improvements to your workplace culture, mental health strategy, and overall well-being of your people is an exciting prospect. It can also be a daunting one. Here are some steps to get started.

1. Assess your organisation’s current approach to mental health
   Look at what’s already in place, where the gaps are, and how mental health is discussed (or not) across different teams. This will help you set realistic goals and identify where training can make the most impact.
   
   
2. Invest in role-specific training to meet the needs of different groups
   Leaders need the tools to spot early warning signs, have sensitive conversations, and manage returns to work. Team members may benefit from training on managing stress, building resilience, and supporting peers.
   
   
3. Embed deeper understanding with ongoing mental health training
   One-off sessions are a good start, but real change happens when learning is continuous. Include mental health in your leadership development, onboarding, and annual training calendars to keep skills sharp and your culture strong.
   
   
4. Create space for conversations and reflection
   Everyone already has a full calendar. You need to build in regular time for check-ins, team reflections, and wellbeing-focused meetings. Training should go hand-in-hand with opportunities to practise what’s been learned in everyday work.
   
   
5. Partner with experts to guide your strategy
   Working with specialists like Resilient People ensures your mental health training is relevant, impactful, and sustainable. We help you build an evolving, long-term strategy that supports your people and improves retention.

You don’t have to work out how to improve staff retention by yourself. Get in touch today and we’ll talk through the best mental health training options for your organisation.