Are we OK? Mental Wellness in the Charitable Workforce
The conversation around mental health in the workplace has taken on new dimensions in a post-pandemic world grappling with economic instability, return to work policies, and ever-increasing demands on charities and their staff. As charities and nonprofits strive to address the world’s most pressing issues, the well-being of their own staff has come into sharp focus. What shifts have occurred in mental health challenges within the charity sector, and how are organizations supporting their employees’ well-being? We draw on findings from our 2023 and 2024 surveys to shed light on these questions and to discuss the ongoing needs of personnel in the sector.
Uptick in Mental Health Issues Among Staff
Last year, our study brought a pressing issue to light: an overwhelming 74% of charities reported an uptick in mental health issues among staff, primarily attributed to increased workloads and the isolation brought on by remote work. In our recent 2024 survey, the figure remained alarmingly high at 71%. This slight variation might stem from differing response rates between the two surveys rather than indicating a significant improvement; nevertheless, it reveals a consistent and concerning trend within the sector.
Shifting Mindset? A Focus on Mental Health
In a 2015 Guardian article, Andy Gibson, founder of Mind Apples – a social enterprise focused on staff wellbeing – commented that charities often lag behind private employers in supporting staff mental health. This, he suggested, is because charities tend to view staff as expenses to be minimized rather than assets to be invested in. However, our current data indicates a potential shift from this mindset: charities are actively enhancing their focus on the mental health of their workforce.
More than half (51%) of charities reported that they have increased the amount of time and/or resources spent on mental health initiatives and wellbeing for staff members and volunteers in recent years. Measures like flexible schedules, remote work options, and policies against bullying and harassment are among the most prevalent support services reported, in addition to several other self-care programs and services.
Is it Enough?
The question remains: Are current efforts enough to address prevailing mental health challenges facing staff and personnel within charities? In our 2024 survey, we asked organizations what additional mental health and well-being services they require, and a clear message emerged: organizations require structured support. Counselling or therapy services, stress management programs and better access to mental health professionals are high on many organizations’ wish lists.
Their needs also go beyond what was explicitly listed in the survey. Examining the open-ended responses, we notice a pattern that aligns with what the Mind Share Partners’ 2023 Mental Health At Work report describes as a “back-to-basics” approach: a workplace that is both financially secure and psychologically supportive – a place where better salaries are just the start, and where a culture of open dialogue and peer support is standard practice. Some pointed remarks include:
“[M]ore funding; stagnant wages and precarious work conditions are prime sources of our stress and mental health issues.”
“Better HR management, clear role definitions, and vigilant supervision of team members are needed to prevent those who may inadvertently harm others, a situation we’ve encountered before without timely intervention.” (translated from French)
The takeaway is clear: while staff mental health and well-being are complex issues, they are structural to the work of the sector, and should not be overlooked – they are often the elephant in the room. Beyond wellness perks, fundamental aspects such as fair pay and a supportive workplace cultures where everyone feels included are crucial for addressing mental health challenges in the charitable sector.
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