To progress and educate ourselves, we need some form of training. After all, we all got to where we are via learning. Many of us were not born instantly knowing how to perform our role; we gained the skills through learning. And that goes for anything and everything we do. But some may not realise that training can encompass a range of topics, including wellbeing. Let’s explore why investing in workplace wellbeing training is critical.
You might be reading this and thinking that recognising, understanding, and responding to poor wellbeing within your organisation is the role of a psychologist. We don’t blame you. But in reality, we can all do our part to support others, and it starts with workplace wellbeing training.
The statistics paint a very stark picture: 1 in 5 Aussies have taken time away from work due to poor mental health. Similarly, 9 in 10 Aussies say that workplace wellbeing is essential. Despite that, 52% of employees report that their workplace is not mentally healthy. All these figures, coming from the Queensland Human Rights Commission demonstrate the importance of focusing on wellbeing.
However, where do you start? Where do you learn how to increase mental health and wellbeing literacy? Well, workplace training is a good start!
What to expect: The Benefits of Workplace Counselling for Employees
Employee Wellbeing Training Strengthens Workplace Culture
Helps organisations create psychologically safe workplaces by improving leadership capability, communication, and support across teams.
Workplace Wellbeing Programs Deliver Measurable Results
Research shows wellbeing training at work can improve productivity, reduce absenteeism and turnover, and enhance overall employee wellbeing.
Counselling and Employee Engagement
Practical ways counselling can improve employee engagement and workplace culture
Wellbeing Training Supports Long-Term Organisational Performance
By building resilience and practical wellbeing skills, workplace mental health training helps employees manage pressure, adapt to change, and perform sustainably.
What Is Workplace Wellbeing Training?
Workplace training and development initiatives and workshops educate employees on specific topics, enhancing their personal and organisational development. In the realm of workplace wellbeing training, these are structured initiatives, such as eLearning, workshops and educational programs that improve mental health and wellbeing literacy at work.
”“Workplace wellbeing training and initiatives are designed to provide employees and leaders with the tools to manage their own social, physical, and mental health and wellbeing, as well as support others.”
James Sclater, Converge’s National Learning Solutions Manager & Registered Psychologist.
The role of employee wellbeing programs is to foster inclusive and supportive cultures, build resilience, increase productivity, and promote a psychologically safe workplace. In addition, training managers can foster more supportive leadership, which in turn leads to greater employee engagement, satisfaction, and morale.
Training can be delivered in a range of different modalities, including:
- eLearning modules
- Training workshops
- Virtual webinars
- In-person seminars
- Small to large coaching sessions
- 1 to 1 coaching
- Pre-recorded sessions
- Leadership and professional development
- Skill building through degrees and tertiary education
- And more
At Converge, we offer a range of training programs, which include:
- Training workshops and seminars
- Change management strategies and training
- eLearning modules
- Webinars
- Individual and group coaching
- Career development training
- Outplacement and redundancy support
- Vicarious trauma training
- Employee behavioural training
- Leadership development
Why Workplace Wellbeing Training Matters
You might be asking: “Why does training matter?” It’s a valid question. But for all employees, their personal and professional development hinges on training. Overall, to increase the skills within your team, they need quality training. That goes for wellbeing. To make your organisation more psychologically safe and improve your culture, wellbeing training is essential. Here’s how workplace wellbeing programs make a difference:
- Mental health literacy and early support
Equipping employees with the skills to identify early signs of stress, start respectful conversations, and respond appropriately when someone may need support. - Building resilience and managing pressure
Practical strategies that help people adapt to change, handle workloads, and navigate everyday workplace stress more effectively. - Proactive wellbeing and burnout prevention
Initiatives that encourage healthy habits, including nutrition, movement, and mindfulness, to support sustained energy and long-term wellbeing. - Leadership capability and healthy workplace culture
Manager-focused training that strengthens inclusive leadership practices and helps prevent psychosocial risks such as bullying, discrimination, and harassment. - Inclusive practices and supportive frameworks
Guidance on workplace adjustments and flexible approaches that support mental health needs and neurodiverse employees.
Building trust to increase wellbeing program utilisation
Converge partnered with the Australian Department of Defence to increase awareness of wellbeing services, strengthen trust in confidentiality, and deliver tailored support across a workforce of more than 40,000 people.
The challenge
Build trust in the Employee Assistance Program and improve awareness of the support available across diverse stakeholder groups.
The approach
Converge delivered targeted awareness sessions, leadership engagement, tailored training, ongoing communications, onsite EAP support, critical incident response, and specialised pre- and post-deployment services.
Does Workplace Wellbeing Training Actually Work? The Evidence Explained
According to Ceda, workplace wellbeing is in a rather precarious spot. What this means is that annually, the Australian economy takes a $70 billion hit due to poor mental health. Approximately 3.5 million Aussies suffer from mental health issues – and many of those will be within the working population. Therefore, training employees on how to support themselves and others is essential. However, it’s not all doom and gloom.
Ceda says that workplace wellbeing training can see positive outcomes in terms of increased organisational resilience. Equally, said wellbeing training for leaders and employees can improve mental health literacy and confidence in supporting others. Not to mention, workplace wellbeing training can help reduce stigmatisation and create channels of open, judgement-free communication. It’s important to note that training is not designed to encourage people to diagnose their co-workers and offer psychological support. That’s the role of a psychologist or psychiatrist.
Rather, it equips employees with the knowledge and confidence to check in appropriately, help those struggling find the right support, and promote early intervention. This could involve directing an employee to their employee assistance program (EAP). Other ways could be encouraging the team to help with their workload to lighten the burden. Training is an effective way to ensure employees and leaders know how to address poor mental wellbeing within their teams. Let’s explore what else the research is contending…
The Outcomes and Benefits of Investing in Workplace Wellbeing Training
Modern organisations need to invest in training because it directly impacts and improves workplace culture, employee productivity, talent retention, and performance. Equally, training, especially wellbeing training, can help employees and leaders reduce absenteeism and burnout as they’re able to recognise when they’re being impacted and act. They’re also able to recognise when those around them are affected and support them appropriately. For example, research by the Wellhub has shown that strong wellbeing and mental fitness training can:
- Improve sleep routines
- Increase employee happiness by 61%
- Reduce turnover by 98%
- Decrease sick-days and absenteeism by 89%
- Reduce health care-related costs by 91%
The ROI and Engagement of Workplace Wellbeing Training
The ROI is also clear. The same research states that there’s a $2 for ever $1 spent. At Converge, we’ve seen a 7:1 ROI through our training and EAP initiatives. Wellhub’s research also demonstrates that wellbeing training has strong cut-through. When they’re accessible, employees, leaders and teams use them. For example:
- 79% of employees said they use wellbeing training
- 99% of HR leaders said wellbeing training improved productivity
- 91% of HR leaders contended that training reduced turnover
- 61% of employees said they’re happier at companies with wellbeing training
- 59% of employees saw an improvement in their wellbeing after undertaking training
What Does Workplace Wellbeing Training Typically Include?
What’s involved typically depends on the training you elect. At Converge, we offer a range of training programs to support your people’s learning. For example, we offer mental health training delivered via eLearning modules, one-to-one coaching, group coaching, and team or organisation-wide seminars – to name a few. We even offer training specifically for managers and leaders to develop their understanding of and response to wellbeing, as well as their management skills.
In addition to the above, employee wellbeing training can include mental health education, stress management, leadership development, resilience-building, and more. Chiefly, workplace wellbeing programs are designed to increase employee productivity and encourage healthy work habits, reducing health-related issues such as burnout. When considering wellbeing training, you should see it as more than policy, because it offers much more. Wellbeing training programs equip employees to actively monitor and manage their wellbeing – both inside and outside of the workplace – underpinning your bottom line.
Here are some components of what workplace wellbeing training may include:
- Mental health resilience training to manage stress, anxiety, and burnout.
- Communication skill building to promote safe and supportive conversations.
- Leadership and management training that helps leaders recognise and respond to poor mental health within their workforce, as well as promote a more positive workplace culture.
- Training for life’s problems that can cause significant stress – including financial management, emotional intelligence, and more.
- Physical health training to bolster mental wellbeing. This can include diet and nutrition training.
- Training to prevent burnout and mental ill-health (this could be employees exposed to vicarious trauma in their day-to-day roles). This form of training may involve improving work-life balance or recognising the signs of anxiety or stress.
The Role of Leaders and Managers in Making Wellbeing Training Effective
According to Gallagher’s Workplace Wellbeing Index, workplace wellbeing continues to present pressing challenges for organisations. They state:
”“Low wellbeing continues to present a growing risk that impacts the bottom line… shifting the dial on wellbeing means turning the dial on business performance.”
These trends must be a focal point for organisations of all sizes. But where should you start? Well, with your leaders. Managers and leaders are uniquely placed to support their teams’ wellbeing. They conduct one-to-one and group meetings, where they can promote support and recognise when staff seem off.
Equally, leaders can engage their workforce, encourage them to participate in workplace wellbeing programs, and explain the benefits of these initiatives. Rather than sending a company-wide email, leaders are your boots on the ground who can make a swift and monumental impact.
Employees can be more receptive to their managers, after all, the Australian HR Institute reports that managers have significant influence on employee wellbeing (69% in fact). That’s more than doctors (51%) and psychologists (41%). Therefore, having the buy-in from and well-trained leaders can lead to greater engagement.
Workplace wellbeing training delivers measurable outcomes.
Evidence shows that investing in employee wellbeing training improves productivity, engagement, and organisational resilience.
How to Choose the Right Workplace Wellbeing Training for Your Organisation
Start by looking for evidence-based, practical programs designed specifically for the workplace. The most effective wellbeing training goes beyond awareness, helping employees and leaders build real-world skills that support early intervention, reduce psychosocial risk, and strengthen everyday wellbeing at work.
It’s also worth considering flexibility and delivery. Training should be accessible to different roles and learning styles, whether that’s through live workshops, interactive webinars, or on-demand learning. Just as importantly, wellbeing training works best when it’s part of a broader, connected support ecosystem rather than a one-off session.
Converge’s workplace wellbeing training programs are designed with this in mind. Delivered by experienced wellbeing professionals, our training supports employees, leaders, and organisations with practical tools, clear guidance, and measurable outcomes. From mental health awareness and leadership capability to psychosocial safety and preventative wellbeing, Converge training integrates seamlessly with our wider support services to create lasting impact.
10 FAQs – Workplace Wellbeing Training
What is workplace wellbeing training?
Workplace wellbeing training refers to structured programs such as eLearning, workshops, webinars, and coaching that build mental health and wellbeing literacy at work, helping employees and leaders support their own wellbeing and that of others.
What topics are covered in workplace wellbeing training?
Workplace wellbeing training can include mental health education, stress and resilience management, leadership development, communication skills, burnout prevention, physical wellbeing (such as nutrition), and support for challenges like financial stress or vicarious trauma.
Why is workplace wellbeing training important for organisations?
Workplace wellbeing training helps create psychologically safe workplaces, improves mental health literacy, strengthens leadership capability, reduces stigma, and supports early intervention – leading to better engagement, culture, and productivity.
Does workplace wellbeing training actually work?
Yes. Research shows that wellbeing training improves mental health literacy, builds organisational resilience, reduces stigma, and increases confidence in supporting others, while contributing to reduced absenteeism and improved performance.
What evidence supports workplace wellbeing training?
Australian research highlights that poor mental health costs the economy billions each year, while studies show wellbeing training improves employee happiness, reduces turnover and sick leave, and delivers a strong return on investment when implemented effectively.
Is workplace wellbeing training the same as therapy?
No. Workplace wellbeing training does not replace professional psychological support. Instead, it equips employees and leaders to recognise early signs of distress, have appropriate conversations, and guide people toward professional support such as an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Who should participate in wellbeing training at work?
Workplace wellbeing training is valuable for all employees, with targeted programs for managers and leaders who play a critical role in supporting teams, encouraging participation, and creating mentally healthy workplaces.
What format does workplace wellbeing training come in?
Training can be delivered through eLearning modules, workshops, webinars, in-person seminars, coaching sessions, leadership programs, and other flexible learning formats to suit different roles and learning styles.
What return on investment can organisations expect from wellbeing training?
Research shows workplace wellbeing training can deliver significant ROI, including reduced absenteeism, improved productivity, lower turnover, and measurable financial returns when embedded as part of a broader wellbeing strategy.
How do you choose the right workplace wellbeing training program?
The most effective programs are evidence-based, practical, flexible in delivery, and integrated into a wider wellbeing ecosystem. Training should address real workplace challenges and support both employees and leaders over the long term.
