How HR can look after their own mental health: Guide for people professionals

The work of people professionals has unique and difficult challenges such as managing conflict, undertaking redundancy and restructuring. People professionals are often the ‘face’ of such activities or programmes, even if they are not the decision makers. HR work may also involve advising on or supporting employees through difficult emotional or personal situations such as health issues or bereavement. It often requires people professionals to carefully balance the complex (and sometimes conflicting) needs of stakeholders, employees, organisations and people managers. Such work can be highly demanding, especially emotionally.  

Although HR is often seen as playing an important role in ensuring the wellbeing of employees within an organisation, the complexity and demands of the HR role requires people professionals to also take care of their own mental health.  

This guide provides information on how to manage your own wellbeing when working in HR. Members can also listen to two psychologists discussing how the wellbeing of people professionals can positively influence business outcomes