How Can An Occupational Psychologist Help Your Organisation?

One in five UK employees has taken time off because of stress or mental health-related issues, according to research from Mental Health UK. 

You might have seen more sick days or noticed colleagues who seem worn out or on edge. These are signs to pay attention to. If you manage a team or work in HR, you can support your team’s mental health by partnering with an occupational psychologist.

At OpenUp, our psychologists work with you and your team to build mental resilience, reduce sick days, and support long-term well-being at work.

Kim, one of our psychologists, points out that work and life are closely linked. When people feel mentally well, they’re more motivated and involved. Things like company policies, the level of freedom people have, and the overall culture all make a difference.

What Is an Occupational Psychologist?

Occupational psychologists focus on mental health in the workplace. They help people and organisations deal with stress, burnout, conflicts, low motivation, and long-term absence.

Working with an occupational psychologist can help reduce sick leave and improve work satisfaction. Kim often chats with people about how to feel less stressed at work or have more energy by the end of the day. Together, they find simple steps that really make a difference.

Occupational psychologists look past the surface. They help people find out what’s really behind their stress. They also provide organisations with advice on policies, leadership, and culture.

By working together, you can build a healthier workplace.

What Does an Occupational Psychologist Do?

• One-on-one support: Helps your employees deal with stress, burnout, or reduced productivity. The goal is to prevent absence or speed up recovery.
• Prevention: Advises organisations on early risk detection and building mental resilience within teams.
• Organisational advice: Psychologists help with workload, culture change, leadership, and better work processes.
• Recruitment and development: Psychologists support hiring, talent development, and career guidance to help employees reach their potential.
• Team development: Offers training in communication, working together, conflict management, and assertiveness.
• Coaching: Psychologists guide leaders and employees in personal growth, overcoming perfectionism, and building confidence.
• Improving performance: Psychologists help organisations increase motivation, focus, and effectiveness.

When Should You Involve an Occupational Psychologist?

Everyone has tough times at work from time to time. Sometimes, stress sneaks up before you realise it. If you manage a team, ask yourself if you notice early signs of stress before someone needs time off.

Reaching out to an occupational psychologist isn’t a weakness. It’s a practical way to prevent problems or help people recover.

You might involve an occupational psychologist in these situations:

• Growing stress or fatigue: When employees say the pressure is too high or they’re often tired.
• Rising absenteeism: When someone is off work for an extended time or shows signs of overload.
• Productivity challenges: When someone or a team is not performing well, you want to improve results.
• Conflicts or communication issues: When tension or unclear expectations make work more difficult.
• Personal development: For employees who want to learn new skills, grow in their roles, and do better at work.
• Returning to work after illness: Psychologists guide people back to work in a healthy way. Kim explains: “It’s important that people can talk about what they’re facing and make choices that support long-term employability. This is often very helpful during reintegration.”
• Prevention: If you want to build mental fitness and resilience in your team before problems start.

Bringing in a workplace psychologist early can help prevent absences and keep your organisation healthy.

The Impact of Mental Health Support in the Workplace

Supporting mental health at work really does make a difference. Work stress costs billions in sick leave each year. Acting early can lower these costs and help people get back to work sooner.

The OpenUp Impact Report (2024) reveals:

• 83% of users experience recovery or significant improvement in their mental well-being.
• 74% feel better equipped for future challenges.
• 82% recover faster.
• 84% report more productivity and energy.

Support from a workplace psychologist can make work more enjoyable, boost motivation, and help teams open up. When people treat mental well-being as a normal part of work, the stigma begins to fade.

As one of our psychologists says: “When mental health becomes a normal topic of conversation, it transforms not just the individual, but the entire organisation.”

A workplace psychologist does more than help people recover. They help the whole team build mental strength.

What Does the Process Look Like?

The OpenUp process is simple and flexible. Here’s how it works:

1. Intake: Getting to know each other and setting direction

In your first session, you’ll meet your psychologist and talk about what’s going on and what you want to achieve. You can see if OpenUp is a good fit for you. Most people have three to five sessions, and there’s no waiting list. Everything you share stays private.

2. Sessions: One-on-one guidance at your pace

You’ll keep working with the same psychologist, usually by video call, either weekly or every other week. In each session, you’ll focus on your goals and talk about how things are going. Some people also use self-guided learning or join group sessions.

3. Wrap up: Ready to move forward independently

When you reach your goal, you’ll wrap up the process. You’ll get tips to keep moving forward on your own, and you can always come back if you want more support later.

Getting an Occupational Psychologist Through OpenUp

OpenUp makes it easy for your employees to get support. Within 36 hours, anyone can connect with a certified psychologist in over 35+ languages.

Why Choose OpenUp?

• Easy access: Employees can quickly book one-on-one sessions with certified psychologists, and there’s no waiting list.
• Worldwide support: Psychologists are available in over 35+ languages and understand different cultures.
• Guaranteed confidentiality: Support is safe, private, and ISO 27001 certified.
• Wide range of support: Get help with both personal and work issues.
• Trusted by over 2,000 organisations for mental well-being support.

Psychologist Kim often hears how people feel positive after their first session: “It really helped to talk about what was on my mind. Sharing my story with someone outside of work was just what I needed! I already feel so much lighter, as if a weight has been lifted from my shoulders.”