Why Workplace Friendships are Crucial for Mental Health

The average person will spend 90,000 hours at work over their lifetime, a significant portion of our lives. So, for many of us it is important to develop and maintain good relationships with our colleagues. Despite this, 69% of people are unsatisfied with opportunities for connection at their work and 52% of people want more connection in their workplace according to research.

Friendship has long been understood to be essential for good mental wellbeing and is beneficial for individuals, workplaces, communities, and may even change the world.

We have seen many iconic duos throughout history uplift and excel one another’s careers and lives, such as Marie Curie and Albert Einstein’s friendship advancing the fields of physics and chemistry. The world also saw a friendship evolve with Franklin D Roosevelt and Winston Churchill where the strong bond brought necessary international cooperation and strategic preparation to support the war effort. While Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s shared passion for songwriting, music, and their friendship still influences artists today.

Importance of connection and friendship

Relationships are one of the most important components of our lives, they will dictate how we experience life and significantly impact mental health. Social connections can uplift us, make us more trusting, and give us a strong sense of belonging.

Friendship can protect us from mental health challenges, such as anxiety, PTSD, and loneliness. In fact, in a recent study involving over 500,000 people, 90% of them reported that having higher social connection significantly protected them from depression.

It can be difficult to speak to a family member about mental health issues, so friendships can be a good first line of defence against mental health challenges and offer better means of mental health support when going through a difficult time without judgement.

Can workplace friendships be a double-edge sword?

Friendships in workplaces can sometimes be seen as a double-edge sword, with a potential risk of loss in productivity, rumours, sexual harassment, and favouritism. All of these challenges can be serious and must be managed accordingly by the organisation and their management team.

On the other side, the value and mental health support that friendships and good connections provide cannot be ignored. Forming strong connections with people is beneficial in promoting better mental health and organisations should take the lead in nurturing strong, professional, and trusting relationships in the workplace.

Connections and the workplace

With most of us spending one third of our lifetime at work, the importance of social connections and friendships in work cannot be argued. Positive relationships create a positive, safe, and comfortable environment for everyone, making it easier to come into work, enjoy work, and boosting employee satisfaction through a shared sense of belonging.

Being able to depend on trusted people or friends in a moment of need can be exceptionally beneficial for mental wellbeing, especially at work. It allows you to lean on people in moments of need and discuss sensitive topics with someone who knows you, without judgement.

How are workplace friendships beneficial for individuals and organisations?

Reduction in mental health challenges Having connections and someone to lean on in a time of need is paramount for good mental health. It limits the risk of loneliness and isolation, offers a safe and trusted space to discuss any mental health challenges, and increases a sense of belonging. With this in mind, healthier and happier people are more productive and more engaged within their workplace.

Attract new talent Organisation can also benefit from more connections in the workplace. With 50% of people wanting more social connections at work, organisations that offer friendship opportunities can be more tempting to new and dedicated talent.

Increase in trust and satisfaction Through open communication colleagues develop trusting relationships that improves productivity and employee satisfaction. When friendships are celebrated in the workplace, employees are known to be more committed to the shared goal, trust one another more, and are better able to work in unison. Trust is great for supporting better decision-making, increases loyalty, and lowering stress levels in the workplace. With trust people find it easier to discuss their mental health challenges, cultivating an open and honest workplace where people feel that they can discuss their health and wellbeing challenges with confidence.

Friendships are grounding Friends keep us grounded, they offer different perspectives, stability, honesty, and some may even offer reality checks when needed. Having this support helps colleagues in their emotional stability and resilience, keep co-workers authentic to themselves, supporting better decision-making, and boosting mental health.

Better recovery through difficult periods Everyone will encounter at least one difficult period in their lives. You may go through a bereavement, a relationship breakdown, or a financially challenging situation. When faced with difficult situations, it can be tough to mentally cope, and you may feel overwhelmed or fearful to seek professional help. During tough times, we reach out to those closest to us to seek support. Friends can act as the first barrier to worsening mental health challenges when we go through difficult periods. Friendships support these mentally draining times, encouraging better recovery through difficult periods.

Relinquish any tension that is on our mind Being able to discuss mental health challenges with someone is a great way to overcome tension and stress within the mind. A trusted friend may offer different perspectives to show better understanding, show understanding of specific problems, and provide a trusting and safe space for the individual to relinquish any mental tension.

Reduces loneliness and social isolation Loneliness can be a silent killer of mental wellbeing, with 62% of lonely people reporting that it decreased their self-confidence. Friendships are good cures for loneliness and social isolation, allowing us to feel connected to people, boosting self-confidence, and offer a sense of belonging and purpose.

Offering different perspectives Sometimes when you are going through a traumatic or upsetting situation, it can be hard to see the reality, other perspectives, and it can feel like you have limited options. This may increase the likelihood of mental health challenges, like depression and anxiety. Speaking to a trusted friend will offer different perspectives that you may not have noticed beforehand.

Combatting mental health stigmas Having strong connections in work will encourage open and honest conversations about mental health and introduce better means of mental health support for those who need it, such as encouraging them to access counselling services. Promoting open and honest conversations about mental health reduces stigma, prejudice, and discrimination around people who suffer with mental health conditions, improving awareness and cultivating acceptance.

Career progression Having a trusting environment is a great way to create future leaders through empowerment and the support of connected colleagues. The trust built between coworkers fosters a supportive environment that uplifts and excels colleagues into new roles with more responsibility through collaboration and learning.

How can organisations cultivate and celebrate workplace friendships?

• Team Building events Allow your team to cultivate their friendships in a social setting through team building events, such as escape rooms, workshops, and sporting events.

• Build Trust in your workplace Strong connections and friendships are built on trust. For people to form meaningful friendships with their colleagues, trust must be present, and this has to come from the organisation and it’s leaders.

• Discover common grounds Similarities are where friendships grow and thrive. Finding out shared hobbies and encouraging conversations around similarities is a great way to encourage shared interests and encourage friendships in the workplace.