Supporting Mental Health at Croda

Amanda O'Malley, HR Director

If you walked into work tomorrow and asked your manager to have a conversation about mental health, how would they respond? What about your HR representative? Would you feel comfortable having that conversation with anyone you work with?

According to a Pew Research Center survey, only 19% of Americans say they would be extremely or very comfortable talking about their mental health and emotional wellbeing with someone they work with. Far more – 48% – are not at all comfortable having these conversations in the workplace. Considering that we spend roughly one-third of our lives at work, mental health in the workplace cannot be overlooked. 

A 2022 poll by the American Psychological Association found that employees reported their mental health condition as worse than ever before. The research also found that this impacted the workplace environment and employee productivity. Caring about our employees’ mental wellbeing isn’t only the right thing to do, it is an important element which enables us to remain competitive in today’s global market. Through my work, I find two things to be most successful:

1. Normalising the conversation about mental health to facilitate a cultural shift that allows employees to seek help comfortably when needed. 
2. Removing cost and barriers to mental healthcare.

What does mental health mean?

Mental health refers to our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and behave, influencing our ability to handle stress, relate to others, and make decisions. Good mental health is essential for functioning effectively in daily life, maintaining healthy relationships, and coping with challenges. It involves the presence of positive qualities such as emotional resilience, self-esteem, and the ability to adapt, as well as the absence of mental health disorders like anxiety, depression, or stress-related conditions.

How does Croda assist with Mental Health?

Access to, and cost of, mental health can be a barrier for many. Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) gives employees access to a network of mental health providers, and each employee is eligible for several free sessions. The EAP also provides employees access to many other resources to support overall wellbeing, such as financial planning and family care.


The stress of everyday life can greatly affect your wellbeing. From growing your family to worrying about a sick pet, we are impacted inside and outside of work. We’ve found that revamping our parental leave policy in North America, to offer fully paid time off after welcoming a new child has resulted in our employees feeling more valued and supported during this critical time in their lives. We recently added the option of pet insurance to protect our furry dependents. For employees navigating loss, we introduced an empathy program to assist them in processing their grief and the overwhelming tasks associated with a death.

Personal connections and community play a significant role in our mental health and wellbeing too. At Croda, our people are our difference. Our employees and leaders truly care about the wellbeing of their colleagues. In many cases, they are willing to have personal conversations and/or will point employees to find the resources they need. Having a sense of belonging at work is so important for psychological safety and overall satisfaction.
Removing barriers to care has a big impact, but it’s also important to normalise prioritising overall health and wellbeing. Offering training courses for employees and managers on topics such as build resilience the importance of unplugging, and recognising burnout will help everyone at the workplace advance their mental health journey.


Ahead of World Mental Health Day on 10 October, which throughout the United States has been observed as a company holiday this year, Jon Elliott, our Regional Technical Manager, sat down with Chris Locke, the co-founder of Sean’s House, a space designed to help community members improve mental health. At Croda, we have made a donation to Sean’ House in support of their work. Chris discussed how he approaches his mental health and the struggle to navigate mental health as a parent. Accompanied by a presentation from Michele Shane, M.A., Individual and Family Counselor, this discussion was livestreamed for all North American employees. Everyone was given the opportunity to ask questions as they felt comfortable.

Jon Elliott said, “Sean’s House’s peer-to-peer support program is particularly impactful. This nonprofit is an invaluable resource that helps many young adults in the community who are looking to access mental health services in a more casual and relatable environment.” He continued, “I am thrilled Croda has chosen to support this organisation. I know these funds will truly change lives.”

A health journey of any kind isn’t easy, and can sometimes be uncomfortable. However, we need to prioritise our health, both physical and mental in all aspects of our life. If employers can lead by example, remove barriers to mental healthcare, and normalise the conversation about wellbeing in the workplace, our workforce is more likely to feel safe and supported – and our businesses will feel the positive impact.

Prioritising mental health: A personal message from Marie Banks on continuous support and awareness at Croda

At Croda, our people are at the heart of everything we do, and prioritising mental health is key to creating a thriving workforce.

Hear from Marie Banks, our IT Strategy Planning and Delivery Director, as she shares a deeply personal message about mental health and how her experience has encouraged her to educate herself to help her loved ones and colleagues. Marie's message serves as a powerful reminder that mental health awareness is not just a one-day conversation, it is a continuous commitment to support, growth and understanding.

We invite everyone, within Croda and beyond to take time to prioritise mental health. By making mental wellbeing a part of our organisational culture, together, we can help individuals, teams, and companies grow stronger together.