“We thought we were doing pretty well,” admits Bethaney Nero, HR Coordinator at Online Education. “But then I did the pulse check.” Like many businesses, Online Education discovered that supporting workplace mental health involves much more than having a few policies in place. It requires a comprehensive approach that many organisations struggle to develop on their own – that’s where workplace mental health coaching comes in.
Workplace mental health coaching is transforming how businesses approach employee wellbeing, moving beyond surface-level solutions to create meaningful, sustainable change. And the results speak for themselves: 90% of businesses report feeling better equipped to address mental health after receiving coaching support1.
To discuss this important subject, we spoke to Transitioning Well, a BizCover partner and customer, about the importance of mental health coaching in the workplace. Here are some valuable insights from them for the small business community.
The Business Case for Workplace Mental Health Support
The impact of mental health support extends far beyond employee wellbeing. Organisations that invest in mental health coaching programs report significant reductions in absenteeism and staff turnover2. When employees have access to mental health support, they’re less likely to take extended sick leave or leave their positions. Additionally, companies often see a decrease in insurance claims related to mental health issues, leading to lower premiums and reduced healthcare costs.
Success Stories in Action
Managing Growth at Waveconn
When Josh Maxwell, Director WHS, Risk and Security at Waveconn, sought workplace mental health coaching, his organisation was already seemingly well-positioned. With ISO 45003 Certification and a strong family-like culture, they appeared to be on the right track. However, the rapid transition from a small to medium-sized company brought new challenges, particularly in managing growing workloads and maintaining their positive culture during expansion.
Through coaching, Waveconn developed a standalone psychosocial risk register and made it a standing agenda item in their health and safety leadership committee. This systematic approach helped them maintain their supportive culture while scaling their operations. “Getting those tools to be able to sell it up the chain and illustrate why [coaching is] important, that’s massive for any small business,” Maxwell explains.
Bite-Sized Progress at Axiom Workplaces
Megan D’Cruz, Head of People & Culture at Axiom Workplaces, found success through what she calls “bite-sized steps.” After completing initial mental health training through the Black Dog Institute, she worked with one of Transitioning Well’s expert coaches to transform ambitious ideas into actionable steps. The result? A comprehensive mental health policy and a digital Wellness Hub that provides resources and support pathways for their 40 employees.
The impact was measurable – their weekly engagement survey showed wellness scores rising higher than other indicators. “You can’t become complacent around mental health and wellness,” D’Cruz says, “but it’s great to see what we are doing is having an impact already.”
Infrastructure Management Group’s Cultural Transformation
Jessica McCadden, Safety & Administration Coordinator at Infrastructure Management Group, approached workplace mental health coaching with a clear understanding: “Happy people are productive… it benefits the business for people to be well, mentally and physically.” Through coaching, she established a Corporate and Social Responsibility team to drive mental health initiatives and implemented an anonymous feedback system to track workplace factors affecting wellbeing.
The coaching program helped transform their approach from a simple compliance exercise to a genuine culture of wellbeing. Regular one-on-one conversations between employees and leaders became standard practice, fostering open dialogue about mental health concerns.
Online Education’s Systematic Approach
Under the guidance of one of Transitioning Well’s expert coaches, Online Education implemented several key initiatives:
- A psychosocial survey to understand employee needs
- Education programs about workplace hazards
- A comprehensive workplace wellbeing plan
- Regular one-on-one discussions about psychosocial hazards with leadership
Beyond Compliance
What sets successful workplace mental health coaching programs apart is their focus on creating lasting change. As Bethaney from Online Education says, “It’s not just ticking the box and doing a little graph. It’s actually going to create proper change.”
Data from the NSW Government Workplace Mental Health Coaching program shows that 80% of participants report positive outcomes, and 89% say the resources and/or referrals provided were relevant and useful3. These results demonstrate that mental health coaching delivers tangible benefits that extend well beyond basic compliance requirements.
Creating Sustainable Change
By facilitating better communication, providing practical tools for managing mental health challenges, and creating sustainable support systems, workplace mental health coaching helps create businesses that are both more productive and more supportive of employee wellbeing.
As businesses continue to navigate complex workplace dynamics in 2025, those that invest in workplace mental health coaching will find themselves better equipped to handle challenges, retain talent, and maintain a competitive edge in an increasingly demanding environment.
Business leaders across NSW have access to free business coaching funded by the NSW Government and delivered by Transitioning Well. Workplace Mental Health Coaching provides leaders of any NSW based private business with less than 200 staff or not-for-profit provides of any size with one-on-one business coaching on any mental health topic that will help them promote, manage and support mental health in their workplace.
For more information or to register for the program visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/mental-health-at-work/free-training-and-coaching.
This content is shared by Transitioning Well, a BizCover partner and customer. For more information about Transitioning Well and their services, please visit their website.
References
- Mental Health Coaching survey, Transitioning Well, 2024.
- UTS and The University of Sydney, ‘Mentally healthy workplaces in NSW A Return-on-investment Study,’ 2017 https://www.nsw.gov.au/employment/mental-health-at-work/managing-mental-health-your-workplace/why-mental-health-at-work-matters
- https://www.nsw.gov.au/mental-health-at-work/free-training-and-coaching/coaching
This information is general only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. It should not be relied upon as advice. As with any insurance, cover will be subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions contained in the policy wording.
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