Jo Burrell: Q&A Blog

HR professionals are often seen as the calm, capable “fixers” of workplace problems, but who looks after them?
As part of our build-up to the October HR Hub, we spoke with Dr Jo Burrell, Clinical Psychologist, co-founder of Ultimate Resilience, and co-author of the HR Mental Wellbeing Survey, to shine a light on the hidden mental health crisis in HR.

In this exclusive Q&A, Jo explains why the problem has gone unnoticed for so long, what the latest data reveals, and how leaders can take meaningful steps to protect and support their HR teams.

Q: Your upcoming HR Hub session is titled Behind the Smiles: The Hidden Mental Health Crisis in HR. What do you mean by “hidden crisis”, and why do you think it’s gone under the radar for so long?

A: HR professionals are often seen as the fixers of workplace problems - calm, capable, and always available. But behind the scenes lies a hidden crisis of stress and burnout that’s been overlooked because HR is expected to support everyone else, keep coping and not need support themselves.

Q: The 2025 HR Mental Wellbeing Report revealed some stark findings about burnout and stress among HR professionals. What stood out to you most from the data?

A: The most striking finding was the huge gap between the high rates of mental health issues in HR and the very low levels of support they receive at work. That discrepancy should be a wake-up call for every organisation.

Q: You’ve spoken before about HR being “supporting everyone else – but who’s supporting them?” What are the risks of not addressing this imbalance, both for individuals and organisations?

A: For individuals, the risks are exhaustion, anxiety, and burnout. For organisations, unsupported HR means poor decisions, higher turnover, rising sickness absence and a hidden cost that can no longer be ignored.

Q: In your experience, what practical steps can organisations take to better protect and support the wellbeing of their HR teams?

A: Start by acknowledging the unique pressures HR faces, including the emotional toll of the work. Create safe spaces for learning and reflection, paired with realistic workloads and supportive management.

Q: You’ve pioneered the concept of HR Supervision. For those who may not be familiar, can you explain what this involves and why it’s important?

A: HR Supervision provides a structured space to reflect, learn, and offload the emotional weight of the role. It strengthens professionals' skills, safeguards wellbeing, and ensures HR can give their best without burning out.

Q: What role do organisational culture and leadership play in shaping HR wellbeing and how can leaders set the tone?

A: Culture and leadership are everything - if HR is valued and supported, the whole organisation benefits. Leaders set the tone by modelling healthy boundaries and creating psychological safety.

Q: If there’s one thing you’d like HR professionals and business leaders to take away from your HR Hub session, what would it be?

A: HR wellbeing isn’t an optional add-on - it’s fundamental to organisational success. If we want thriving workplaces, we must first support the people who hold everything together.

Jo’s insights highlight an urgent truth: HR wellbeing is not an “optional extra” - it’s the foundation of healthy, resilient, and high-performing organisations. Without structured support, HR professionals face rising levels of stress and burnout, with consequences for both individuals and the wider business.

Join us on Thursday, 16th October, from 10-11am on Zoom, for the next Allen Associates HR Hub: Behind the Smiles: The Hidden Mental Health Crisis in HR.

Jo will share the latest findings from the 2025 HR Mental Wellbeing Report, unpack the causes of the crisis, and provide evidence-based strategies that organisations can implement right away.

Register here.