Engaging the Sceptics: The Missing Piece in Mental Health & Wellbeing, With Nick Elston

Jun 19, 2026

Mental health and wellbeing is something every Organisation talks about, yet many of the people who need support the most never ask for it. Why?

 

That question sits at the heart of my conversation with Nick Elston, who has spent more than a decade helping Organisations engage the people who are often the hardest to reach. Drawing on his own lived experience of obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety and burnout, Nick shares why awareness alone isn't enough, why storytelling creates genuine engagement, and how a simple conversation can make all the difference. We also explore the common mistakes people make when trying to help, how to support someone without feeling responsible for fixing them, and why sharing a little of our own human experience can open doors that policies and procedures never will.

 

Highlights

• Why people stay silent: Fear, conditioning and lack of anonymity.
• Lived experience: Builds trust and encourages genuine engagement.
• Better conversations: Support people without trying to fix them.
• Human connection: Small vulnerability creates deeper trust.
• Protect yourself first: Set clear boundaries before listening.
• Supporting sceptics: Focus on self development, not labels.
• Energy management: Helping others starts with looking after yourself.
• Follow up matters: A simple check in can mean everything.

 

Resources and actions:

• Sign up for a future Safety Roundtable: https://safetyroundtable.co.uk/
• Connect with Nick on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickelston/   
• Connect with Christian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-harris-slip-safety/