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Creating a mentally healthier workplace with ISO 45001

May 14, 2025

How does ISO 45001 support mental health in the workplace?

Discover how integrating mental health into ISO 45001 systems can transform workplaces by reducing absenteeism, improving retention and fostering a culture of resilience and caring.

ISO 45001 framework: a foundation for mental health and safety

The modern workplace demands that employee mental health protection moves from optional benefit to operational necessity (WHO, 2022). Many organizations have mental health guidelines, but few integrate them into structured, auditable management systems. ISO 45001 certification fills this gap by providing a robust framework for promoting mental well-being alongside traditional occupational health and safety risks. When companies align mental health initiatives with the standard’s principles, they achieve measurable improvements that go beyond superficial wellness programs. Research confirms the effectiveness of this approach—a 2023 WHO study found structured workplace mental health programs reduce absenteeism by 27% on average, mirroring results from well-implemented ISO 45001 interventions (WHO, 2022).
Although ISO 45001 doesn’t explicitly mention mental health, its requirement to identify and manage all workplace hazards inherently includes psychosocial risks like stress, burnout, harassment, and isolation. The standard establishes leadership accountability, promotes employee involvement, and mandates continuous improvement—the foundation of a health-conscious workplace culture. As one expert notes:

"When organizations align mental health measures with the standard’s principles, they can go beyond symbolic employee wellness initiatives and deliver verifiable, lasting enhancements to the work environment."

Expert

How ISO 45001 helped tackle mental health risks

Consider the case of a DEKRA client, a fictional mid-sized software company created to illustrate how ISO 45001 can be leveraged to address mental health challenges. Despite being ISO 45001 certified, the client initially focused only on physical safety, overlooking psychosocial risks until rising burnout cases, high turnover, and increased absenteeism forced action (Case Study, 2023). After a surge in resignations and HR complaints, leadership made mental health a strategic priority using their existing ISO 45001 framework.
The client’s transformation began with the revision of its OH&S policy to explicitly include mental health, appointing a Mental Health Officer, and making psychological safety a standing leadership meeting agenda item (ISO, 2021; Case Study, 2023). Following Clause 6.1.2 on hazard identification, they conducted comprehensive psychosocial risk assessments through employee surveys and focus groups, uncovering key stressors like workload pressures, remote work isolation, and team psychological safety gaps (ISO, 2018; Case Study, 2023).
The company set measurable targets:
  • Mental health training for all leaders within six months
  • 25% reduction in stress-related absences within a year
  • Quarterly well-being check-ins (Case Study, 2023)
Under Clause 8 (Operation), the client implemented multiple interventions:
  • Workload redistribution
  • 24/7 mental health hotline
  • Peer-support groups
  • Resilience training
  • flexible work arrangements (Case Study, 2023)
They tracked progress through Clause 9 (Monitoring & Evaluation) by monitoring:
  • Sick leave,
  • Exit interviews
  • Employee feedback (Case Study, 2023)
Continuous improvement under Clause 10 led to a wellness app and enhanced remote onboarding based on employee input. Within 12 months, the DEKRA client achieved a 40% reduction in stress-related sick days, improved talent retention, and higher satisfaction with mental health support (Case Study, 2023). While these figures are illustrative, real-world implementations of ISO 45001 with ISO 45003 typically yield 20–40% decreases in stress-related absenteeism within 12–18 months (ISO, 2021).

A resilient work culture thanks to ISO 45001

For businesses, integrating mental health into ISO 45001-certified OH&S systems ensures systematic, measurable support embedded within broader risk management frameworks (ISO, 2021). ISO 45003 provides additional guidance for addressing psychological health specifically. As Jürgen Wartmann, Team Lead for Accreditation Management at DEKRA Certification GmbH, explains:

"Mental well-being is not optional—it’s integral to a thriving workplace. By leveraging ISO 45001, organizations can move beyond compliance and foster a culture of resilience and care."

Jürgen Wartmann

Conclusion

The evidence is clear: mental health is foundational to safe, sustainable, and productive workplaces—and ISO 45001 provides the framework to achieve this.
Where can you find more information about ISO 45001 at DEKRA?
Find out more about the standard and how DEKRA can help you in ISO 45001 certification.
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