- 8 October 2025
- Posted by: Ellice Whyte
- Categories: Leadership, Workplace
When someone reaches out, the worst thing we can do is make support hard to find. On World Mental Health Day 2025, the focus is access — getting people to the right help, faster.[1] This guide uses the IGLOO model to build one clear pathway so nothing, and no one, falls between the cracks.
IGLOO: a joined‑up pathway to support
IGLOO is a practical framework used in workplace wellbeing that clarifies who holds responsibility for access to support at five levels: Individual, Group, Leadership, Organisation and Outside supports. We are using the version popularised by Affinity Health at Work, and we link to their work here for attribution and further reading.[2]
Why use it? Because it gives you a complete view of the system. Rather than launching isolated initiatives, IGLOO helps you design a joined‑up pathway and assign ownership at each level. It’s a solid structure to inform your wellbeing strategy, your policies, and your day‑to‑day practices.
I — Individual: Make first steps obvious and doable
The challenge: People avoid asking for help when they don’t know what comes next or who will find out.
What to do:
- Create a simple “Get help now” panel with two clear options: “Talk to your manager” or “Book confidential EAP support”
- Include direct links, phone numbers, and opening hours
- Add a one-line “what happens next” summary for each option
- Place this panel on your intranet homepage, in onboarding materials, and email signatures
Quick win: Test your current support links — can someone find help in under 30 seconds?
G — Group (team): Build a speak‑up rhythm
The challenge: Mental health concerns stay hidden until they become crises.
What to do:
- Start team meetings with a wellbeing round: “How’s everyone’s mood and workload today?”
- Train team members to use signposting language: “Would it help to talk to [specific person] or use [our EAP/specific service]? I can help you contact them”
- Designate a “wellbeing champion” role to keep supports visible and normalise conversations
- Create team agreements about communication to support different preferences
Quick win: Add wellbeing check-ins to your next three team meetings and notice what surfaces.
L — Leadership: Make the first 5 minutes reliable
The challenge: Managers panic when someone opens up, either over-helping or shutting down the conversation.
What to do:
- Train leaders in mental health skills with structured programmes like our leadership development workshops that build confidence in having supportive conversations
- Create clear escalation pathways so managers know when to involve HR, OH, or senior leadership
- Remember that leaders need support too — provide dedicated wellbeing resources specifically for managers and senior staff who carry the emotional weight of supporting others
Quick win: Book a “managing wellbeing” workshop for your management team this quarter.
O — Organisation: Put pathways two clicks away
The challenge: If people have to hunt through multiple pages and PDFs, most will give up before finding help.
What to do:
- Audit your current support journey and time how long it takes to book an EAP session or find support from your intranet homepage
- Create a single “Support Pathways” landing page with all options: EAP, Mental Health First Aiders, Occupational Health, HR, peer support, local charities and emergency contacts
- Add a “Book time with an MHFAider” button with live availability or email addresses if you have trained first aiders
- Regularly share and remind staff about what is available and what it’s helpful for- people often forget!
- Test all links regularly and fix broken pathways immediately
Quick win: Make “Get support” visible from every page of your intranet with a maximum of two clicks to book help.
O — Outside: Make external help visible and stigma‑free
The challenge: Work-based support isn’t always the right fit, but people don’t know what external options exist.
What to do:
- Create a comprehensive external support directory: NHS 111, crisis helplines, local IAPT services, specialist charities, neurodiversity support, and financial wellbeing resources. Pro Tip: If you’re based in the UK, find these on www.hubofhope.co.uk
- Explain when each service is appropriate and include direct contact details
- Design a printable one-page resource with QR codes for easy mobile access
- Place copies in meeting rooms, break areas, and include in manager briefing packs
- Update quarterly to ensure all contact details remain current
Quick win: Print 50 copies of an external support sheet and place them in visible, private locations around your workplace. If you’re in the UK, we have done this for you!
Access improves when responsibilities are clearly defined and pathways are straightforward. Begin by implementing the “Get help now” panel today, conduct manager training this quarter, and start asking each other how we’re really doing.
Resources and support
Need help implementing these strategies in your organisation?
We specialise in making workplace wellbeing practical and sustainable. Whether you need leadership development, team workshops, or a complete wellbeing strategy overhaul, we’re here to help you build the pathway that works for your people.
Leadership coaching and workshops — Develop confident leaders who can have those crucial first-response conversations and create psychologically safe teams.
Wellbeing training and consultancy — From Mental Health First Aid programmes to bespoke wellbeing strategies, we’ll work with you to design the right support system for your organisation.
Whatever you need, we’re happy to work with you. Get in touch to discuss how we can help close the access gap in your workplace.
