Mental Wellbeing at Work: Supporting the People Behind the Work

 

In medical affairs, high pressure is constant. I am sure those working in the area will agree. Tight deadlines, ensuring consistent high-quality materials and aligning with industry frameworks are daily realities for marketing, medical and compliance teams. 

 

When mental wellbeing is neglected, the effects go beyond the personal. Focus fades, decisions take longer, and mistakes become more likely. In roles where accuracy is everything, even minor errors can have significant outcomes. 

 

At Medicom Solutions, we believe that a high-performing team is one that is mentally well, supported, and valued. Whether you are an entry-level medical writer or a senior medical director, protecting mental health is not just good practice - it is essential for quality, accuracy, and long-term success. 

 

We understand the nature of our work demands focus, precision, and resilience. We also know that none of that is sustainable without looking after our wellbeing. Supporting mental health isn’t just an initiative, it’s part of how we work. Supporting wellbeing helps teams maintain accuracy and meet industry requirements without burnout. 

Long hours of focused work, especially when reviewing promotional or scientific content, can take a toll. Regular breaks are essential. Even ten minutes away from the screen can help reset, refocus and catch the details that matter. 

 

For large pieces like detail aids, we encourage not to tackle it in one go. Break it down into chunks and tackle one section at a time. In between, do something entirely different or spread over a few days. Coming back to it will help you refocus with a fresh perspective. 

 

If you are office-based, take a walk outside. If you are remote, step away from your desk. These breaks are not lost time - it's how we stay sharp. 

 

2. Maintaining work-life boundaries 

 

With hybrid work becoming the norm, it is too easy for work life to spill into personal time. But always being available can lead to burnout. Of course, when deadlines can’t be moved, it's never easy - but helping with better planning and quality inputs, right from the start, helps. 

 

And when things ease? It's okay not to feel guilty about the quiet time. 

 

Make a habit of switching off at the end of the day and resisting the pressure to respond to emails out of hours. That space matters. Rest is not laziness; it’s fuel for the next challenge. 

 

3. It’s OK to say that you are feeling stressed 

 

Mental health affects everyone. Yet in professional settings, it is still often treated as a personal or private issue. It should not be. If it is not shared, it can’t be supported. 

 

We believe mental health should be part of the everyday. Whether it’s a quick check-in, a more open one-to-one, or simply asking “how are you, really?”, we try to keep the door open. 

 

We also share resources, remind each other to take breaks, and look out for signs that someone might need a bit more support. 

 

4. Being supportive of each other… professionally and personally 

 

We know compliance and signatory roles can feel isolating - the responsibility is high, and the margin for error is small. So, we build support into the process. 

 

That might be regular peer check-ins, access to external mentoring, or just knowing there’s someone to turn to when the pressure is on. 

 

That’s one of the big reasons we started external mentoring sessions for aspiring signatories just to build a safe space to support each other and get through some challenges together. 

 

Whether it’s a chat before a meeting, a virtual coffee, or a quick check-in during the week, we make time to connect as people, not just colleagues. Many of us are based virtually, and we really enjoy our non-work-related chats. It makes all the difference to us. 

 

5. We believe people make the work possible 

 

Everything we do, from reviewing complex content to meeting tight deadlines, depends on the people behind it. That’s why we take mental health seriously, not just as individuals, but as a team. 

 

Medical writers will often need quiet, uninterrupted time to do their best work. Giving yourself space to think deeply is part of the job, not something to apologise for. 

 

By creating space for wellbeing, we do better work, support each other more effectively, and build the kind of culture we’re proud to be part of. 

Whether you’re reviewing materials, managing governance, or leading a therapy area, the quality of your work depends on your ability to think clearly, collaborate effectively, and make sound decisions under pressure. 

At Medicom Solutions, we provide expert-led, flexible and cost-efficient compliance support while recognising the pressures that in-house teams face. We’re not just external support. We’re a trusted partner who integrates seamlessly with your ways of working, understands the demands of medical affairs, and helps you meet your goals without added stress. 

 

Mental wellbeing is essential to making that happen, not just during Mental Health Awareness Week, but every week.