The Power of Connection and Conversation: Why Mental Health Should Be Central to Organisational Culture

In today’s fast-paced business environment, creating a thriving workplace culture is no longer a “nice-to-have”—it’s a necessity. At byDiffusion, we understand that organisations succeed when their people thrive, and the key to that success lies in fostering meaningful connections and open conversations about mental health and well-being.

It’s a critical time for leaders to take mental health seriously. Research from Deloitte highlights that for every £1 invested in mental health interventions, businesses can expect a £5 return through increased productivity and reduced absenteeism. Yet despite this, many workplaces still struggle to create environments where mental health is openly addressed and supported.

As we prepare for our upcoming event, Organisational Culture – The Power of Connection and Conversation, we are excited to bring together two outstanding speakers who embody the principles of people-first leadership: Oly Newton, co-founder of 100 Talks for Change, and founder of Lights On Wellbeing & Run 4 Your Mind, and Sunny Pahal, an accomplished executive leader known for building inclusive, high-performing teams and cultivating business culture.

Breaking the Stigma Around Mental Health: Oly Newton’s Journey

Mental health is often pushed to the sidelines in the workplace, but it’s an issue that affects every organisation, regardless of industry or size. Oly Newton knows this first-hand. As co-founder of 100 Talks for Change and founder of Run 4 Your Mind, Oly has dedicated himself to breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health by sharing his personal experiences and insights into how businesses can foster a culture that supports well-being.

Oly’s journey through mental health challenges in the workplace showed him the gaps that exist in current systems. He’ll share his story at the event, outlining what employers can do to build environments where employees feel supported, understood, and empowered to thrive.

“What I needed was more than just understanding. I needed a workplace that didn’t just talk about mental health but actively worked to support it—where mental health was treated with the same importance as any other aspect of well-being,” says Oly.

Creating Cultures That Thrive: Sunny Pahal’s Expertise

Alongside Oly, we are thrilled to welcome Sunny Pahal, an accomplished executive leader with extensive experience in shaping organisational culture. With a background as a Chief Operating Officer, Sunny has successfully led transformational change by aligning company culture with strategic objectives. She is passionate about developing leadership, fostering inclusive environments, and creating frameworks that enhance employee engagement and talent development.

Sunny believes that culture is not a by-product of success, but a foundation for it. “When you focus on your people—on empowering teams, developing leadership, and fostering inclusivity—you create the kind of culture that drives real business results,” she says.

Sunny’s expertise in transforming cultures and building high-performing teams will offer valuable insights for business leaders who want to unlock their organisation’s full potential. From her experience, organisations that prioritise a people-first approach see improvements not only in employee well-being but in business outcomes such as innovation, productivity, and market leadership.

Why Investing in Mental Health Matters

The business case for investing in mental health is stronger than ever. Poor mental health contributes to billions of pounds in lost productivity each year, with presenteeism (when employees are at work but not fully functioning) being up to 1.5 times more costly than absenteeism. Yet, organisations that prioritise mental health not only reduce these costs but also strengthen their competitive edge.

Studies show that 75% of employees have experienced burnout at some point, and companies that fail to address mental health risk losing top talent. On the other hand, businesses that prioritise mental health see benefits such as increased retention, stronger engagement, and enhanced brand reputation—because when employees feel valued, they bring their best to the table.

The Ripple Effect: From Colleagues to Customers

When organisations invest in mental health, the effects go far beyond employee satisfaction. A mentally healthy workplace leads to improved customer service, stronger client relationships, and a better overall market position. Employees who feel supported are more engaged, innovative, and customer-focused, resulting in a positive ripple effect that enhances the entire business ecosystem.

By addressing mental health head-on, leaders not only improve their internal culture but also differentiate their brand in a competitive marketplace. Employees who thrive in an environment that values connection and conversation will naturally extend that positive energy to customers and stakeholders.

Join Us to Make Change Happen

At byDiffusion, we help businesses build resilient, people-centric cultures by focusing on mental health, meaningful connections, and transformational leadership. Our upcoming event, Organisational Culture – The Power of Connection and Conversation, will provide business leaders with the tools and insights they need to make lasting, impactful changes.

With Oly Newton’s personal story and Sunny Pahal’s wealth of experience, this event promises to inspire leaders to prioritise mental health, foster more meaningful conversations, and create cultures where both people and businesses thrive.

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Get your ticket from Eventbrite here

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We look forward to seeing you then.