195. The truth about mental health at work, with Dr Sarah Hughes, CEO at Mind

Welcome back to Truth, Lies & Work, the award-winning psychology podcast from the HubSpot Podcast Network. This week, we’re thrilled to bring you a raw, unfiltered conversation with Dr Sarah Hughes, CEO of Mind — one of the UK’s leading mental health organisations.

With over 35 years in mental health and social care, Sarah is a fearless advocate for change. In this episode, she shares why mental health services are still failing those with the most serious needs, why surface-level “wellness” programmes won’t fix broken workplace cultures, and how poverty, inequality, and racism drive mental health crises.

Whether you’re a leader, HR professional, or someone navigating their own mental health journey, this conversation is packed with insights that challenge, inspire, and push us to think beyond box-ticking initiatives.

💥 Key Takeaways

• Mental health literacy has improved, but services for severe illness are lagging.

• Culture and leadership matter more than free yoga or mindfulness apps.

• Addressing poverty, racism, and inequality is essential to prevention.

• Leaders sharing their own struggles can transform workplace stigma.

• Young people need more than therapy — they need agency and action.

🔗 Links & Resources
Mind website: https://www.mind.org.uk
Mental Health at Work Commitments: https://www.mentalhealthatwork.org.uk
Sarah Hughes on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/drsarahhughes

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🧡 Mental Health Support
Mind: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support
Samaritans (UK, free helpline): Call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org

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