Supporting Your Team’s Mental Health
Mental health is a leadership issue—but that doesn’t mean you have to become your team’s therapist. In small businesses where resources are limited, leaders often feel unsure about what’s helpful versus overstepping. Here’s how to strike a healthy, sustainable balance.
Why Mental Health Support Matters in SMEs
Smaller teams often mean we have more emotional visibility
One unwell team member affects the whole system
Leaders often carry emotional labour unnoticed
What You’re Responsible For—and What You’re Not
You are responsible for:
Creating a psychologically safe environment
Role-modelling self-care and boundaries
Connecting staff to appropriate resources
You are not responsible for:
Diagnosing or fixing anyone’s issues
Holding space for everything, all the time
5 Healthy Leadership Practices
Hold structured check-ins - not ad hoc venting sessions
Train leaders in psychological safety and referral
Share EAPs or community resources regularly
Set boundaries that support (not block) wellbeing
Model openness around mental health without oversharing
You can be a leader who supports wellbeing without becoming the emotional dumping ground. Clarity and consistency matter.
Interested in learning more about supporting your team’s mental health? Reach out to Team Tapestry to explore your options.