Caring for the carers: Why mental health support must start with employers

Every year, May’s Mental Health Awareness Month reminds us of the importance of looking after ourselves and each other. For those working in healthcare, the stakes are even higher: a recent survey found one in three NHS doctors are so exhausted that their ability to care for patients is affected, with almost a quarter making mistakes at work because of it.  

For healthcare leaders, these figures are a stark reminder that before we can care for patients, we must provide support for the people who provide that care. Semble’s VP of People, Yssine Matola, shares practical ways to foster a culture in your healthcare business where mental health is prioritised and staff feel genuinely supported.

At Semble we might not be a healthcare provider, but as a health tech company we support those who are. Our mission is to enable healthcare professionals to amplify their impact: the practitioners, patient-facing staff and admin teams who support patients and keep healthcare running. And we’re proud to have built a tool that helps them do their best work.  

While our role is behind the scenes, the wellbeing of our own people – in product, engineering and client-facing teams – remains just as central. 

Our approach to wellbeing at Semble 

Like many of the healthcare professionals we serve, we operate in a dynamic, fast-paced and often demanding environment, which is inherently prone to stress and heightened pressures. Supporting mental health has always been at the core of our priorities, and we’re consistently looking for ways to enhance that support.  

We’re committed to fostering a culture where everyone feels heard, supported and empowered to thrive. Here are some of the ways we strive to bring this to life at Semble – approaches that any organisation can adopt: 

Launching a wellbeing committee  

Our volunteer-led committee ensures that wellbeing remains a top priority, creating space for honest conversations and championing a culture of care. They organise events that are both educational and help us connect, both with our own health and with each other. The committee has also been instrumental in shaping new People policies, such as our 'Feel Good' days: two extra days off each year for self-care, wellbeing activities, giving back to our community or simply learning something new. 

Regular team surveys 

We regularly check in with our team, asking the questions that specifically tell us about staff wellbeing, so we can listen and improve. We anonymise responses – it's a powerful way to understand how people really feel.  

For example, we ask people to rate statements such as ‘I feel supported by my manager and Semble leaders,’ so we can better understand the effectiveness of our collective efforts. (In our most recent survey, this scored a 8.6 out of 10, showing us we’re on the right track, whilst also encouraging us to keep building on our strengths.) 

Mental health support 

Trained mental health first aiders among our employees are available for confidential support. Through Oliva, an employee mental wellbeing platform, everyone at Semble can also access expert therapy and mental health support whenever they need it. We cover the cost of therapy sessions through Oliva, ensuring professional help is within reach for all our employees. 

An open dialogue 

Every other week, our company-wide ‘All Hands' sessions provide a safe space where any question can be raised – anonymously if they wish – and answered openly. Our exec team also does regular check-ins with employees across the organisation. We’re not an overly hierarchical company, and people generally feel comfortable reaching out directly with feedback or suggestions. 

Supporting healthcare staff through technology 

While our employees aren’t delivering frontline care, we are acutely aware of the challenges our users face. Burnout in healthcare is far too common: the mental load of providing care, the emotional highs and lows and the pressure to always ‘be okay’ can be overwhelming for healthcare professionals. That’s why, in addition to nurturing our own team’s wellbeing, we strive to support healthcare organisations through the product we build. 

For many healthcare professionals, work happens inside digital tools. When those tools are slow, siloed, or frustrating to use, it adds unnecessary stress to already demanding jobs. At Semble, we’re committed to making life easier for healthcare teams.  

Our approach is simple: tools should work together, not in isolation. Our integrations and open API enable interconnection and interoperability, so healthcare professionals spend less time wrestling with tech and more time focused on what matters: delivering care. When technology supports staff, it’s a powerful force for wellbeing. 

A call to action 

Supporting mental health, whether in a tech company or on the frontlines of healthcare, takes real intention and ongoing effort.  

To those leading healthcare organisations: Your teams are at the heart of care. Keep finding ways, big and small, to support their wellbeing and make sure they feel valued. A little extra listening and care from leadership can make a huge difference in their day-to-day. 

And to our fellow health techs working to support healthcare professionals: let’s not forget that the tools we build shape real people’s work lives. When we focus on making things simpler and more connected, we’re helping to lift some of that daily burden. Let’s keep building with empathy and care. For the people on the frontlines and everyone behind the scenes. 

Let’s keep doing our part to support those who care for others.