In 2018, Linklaters Singapore became the first office in the firm’s international network to introduce onsite psychotherapy services for employees.
This was a bold and innovative forward-thinking step at a time when mental health was not widely discussed in workplaces – particularly in the Asia region, let alone in many homes, providing a well needed safe space for people to be able to offload, in a trusted environment and strict confidence. However, recognising the benefit that such support could provide to our teams (and beyond), Linklaters saw the importance of creating a safe space by bringing qualified psychotherapists into the workplace.
Making Support Accessible for All
From the outset, Linklaters focused on accessibility, offering:
- Weekly in-person sessions in the office
- Virtual appointments for those working remotely or travelling
- Therapy at the psychotherapists’ own clinics for colleagues who preferred an external environment
This flexible approach was drawn from the collective inputs of those who were keen to help us develop this initiative, enabling us to put in place a structure that respected individual preferences and ensured that support could reach as many people as possible, taking into account the collective feedback gathered.
To reinforce confidentiality and ease of access, Linklaters provided secure online booking, enabling employees to schedule appointments discreetly. Virtual sessions were delivered via encrypted platforms, ensuring that colleagues across regions – including those without onsite options – could feel comfortable accessing confidential support.
Linklaters does not receive information identifying who uses the service, and the content of any sessions between individuals and psychotherapists is not disclosed to the firm. The strictly confidential nature of this service is regularly repeated and reinforced by our leadership team and by our onsite psychotherapist teams themselves too, as a key trust enabler.
Reducing Stigma Through Openness and Leadership
Integrating mental health services directly into the workplace, and promoting them widely, has helped to play a key role in reducing mental health stigma. Linklaters paired the launch of the sessions with an internal communications campaign in which leaders across the firm, and from across our network (lawyers and business teams) shared personal stories about the importance of mental wellbeing. This went a far way in normalising discussions, opening up doors for our teams to understand that they could be vulnerable without fear of stigma or exclusion, empowering our colleagues to use the service without fear of judgement, and get help, often in cases where they had not realised they needed it.
The Positive Impact
The roll out of this initiative has been a huge success, and has made a tangible difference to both the professional and personal lives of the employees. Over time, an increasing number of employees have taken advantage of the service, with some even recommending similar support to their colleagues, openly sharing that they had used our service and how it had helped them through challenging times, and to their family and friends – an endorsement that speaks volumes to the value and benefits this initiative has generated across all levels within our teams.
Within the office, the culture around mental wellbeing has fundamentally shifted. Colleagues openly encourage each other to seek support when needed, and many speak candidly about their own experience using the onsite psychotherapy service. Our onsite psychotherapists are referred to by their first names by many, and are seen as just being part of the team. They have also developed increased levels of awareness and now feel a lot more comfortable signposting professional help when they notice someone struggling.
Engagement in health and wellbeing activities – such as World Mental Health Day – remains strong, and the firm’s annual engagement survey continues to show positive Health & Wellbeing scores, highlighting the initiative’s sustained contribution to a supportive and engaged workplace.
The success is also evident in the fact that similar services have since been adopted by many other Linklaters offices. Linklaters has also taken its learning beyond the firm, sharing its approach openly at MindForward Alliance Singapore meetings, thereby encouraging other businesses across different industries to adopt similar initiatives.
Looking Ahead
By continuing to integrate these services into daily working life, the firm will continue to challenge stigma, expand access, and build a workplace where people feel valued, supported and understood. Further, Linklaters is now exploring therapy apps to give colleagues on-the-go access to professional support.