7 Effective Strategies for Mental Wellbeing in Your SMB

7 Effective Strategies for Mental Wellbeing in Your SMB (2025 Update)

Improving mental wellbeing in your SMB is one of the biggest challenges for 2025. Recently, I sat with Veerle, an ambitious entrepreneur who saw her team struggling with stress and workload. "Eleanor," she said, "I see my people having a hard time, but I don't know how to support them without jeopardizing productivity."

A recognizable situation for many SMBs. Recent research from SERV/Stichting Innovatie & Arbeid (2022) shows that more than a third of employees experience work stress complaints and 13.4% face acute burnout risk. Meanwhile, research from FOD WASO shows that companies with active wellbeing policies report 28% less absenteeism.

The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) confirms: every euro invested in mental wellbeing yields an average return of €1.62.

Why Mental Wellbeing Is Essential for SMB Growth

A healthy company culture goes beyond occasional team buildings or a fruit basket in the kitchen. Recent research from SERV shows that the proportion of employees with sustainable work has dropped from 54.7% in 2019 to 49.6% in 2022. This trend makes investing in mental wellbeing more urgent than ever.

At D+A engineering firm, we saw how a targeted approach significantly contributed to both employee satisfaction and absenteeism reduction.

7 Strategies for a Strong Wellbeing Policy

1. Create a Safe Environment for Mental Health

Start each week with a check-in moment. Not to talk about targets, but to really listen to how people are doing. One of our clients introduced "coffee with meaning"—informal conversations where employees can speak freely about what's on their minds.

2. Implement Structural Wellbeing Support

Make mental wellbeing measurable and discussable. Consider:

• Monthly wellbeing conversations
• Access to professional coaching
• Flexible work hours
• Clear boundaries around availability

3. Invest in Preventive Measures

Prevention is better than cure. According to FOD WASO, 33% of long-term absenteeism is due to psychosocial problems. EU-OSHA reports that 75% of business leaders are concerned about work-related stress.

Organize workshops on:

• Workplace stress management
• Mindfulness for SMB employees
• Healthy work-life balance
• Energy management techniques

4. Train Leaders in Mental Health

Equip your managers with the right skills:

• Recognizing stress signals in employees
• Having difficult conversations about mental wellbeing
• Creating psychological safety
• Facilitating team support

5. Monitor Wellbeing Indicators

Measure regularly how things really are:

• Anonymous wellbeing surveys
• Exit interviews
• Team pulse checks
• Individual check-ins

6. Build a Healthy Company Culture

Implement daily wellbeing practices:

• Walking meetings for mental freshness
• Quiet zones for focus and rest
• Flexible work hours for work-life balance
• Regular team moments for connection

7. Create Clear Wellbeing Protocols

Develop clear guidelines for:

• Dealing with work stress
• Reporting overload
• Access to professional help
• Return after burnout

The Role of Leadership in Mental Health

As a leader, you set the tone for mental wellbeing in your SMB. One of our clients, Thomas, CEO of a growing technology company, openly shared his burnout experience.

The result? A complete culture shift where people felt safe talking about mental health.

FAQs About Mental Wellbeing in SMBs

What does a wellbeing policy cost for an SMB?

Investment in mental wellbeing varies depending on your SMB's size and chosen approach. The return? According to EU-OSHA, every euro invested yields an average of €1.62 through reduced absenteeism and increased productivity.

How do you measure mental wellbeing in an SMB?

Use a combination of quantitative metrics (absenteeism figures, employee satisfaction) and qualitative feedback (wellbeing conversations, anonymous surveys).

When do you bring in external help for mental wellbeing?

As soon as you notice signs of structural stress or overload, or when you want to work preventively on a healthy company culture.

What are the first signs of decreased mental wellbeing?

Watch for changes in work behavior, communication patterns, concentration ability, and general energy of employees.

How do you create support for wellbeing policy?

Start with open communication about the importance of mental health and involve employees in developing the wellbeing policy.