Creating Mentally Healthy Workplaces: A Collective Responsibility

Today, on World Mental Health Day 2024, we reflect on this year’s theme Mental Health at Work. For many of us, work is a significant part of our lives—often occupying more time than we spend at home. Work has the potential to be a source of growth and fulfillment, however work can also cause stress and burnout. As an interdisciplinary membership organization dedicated to tackling society’s toughest challenges through research, policy development, and practice, the Global Alliance for Behavioral Health and Social Justice recognizes the critical need for all organizations to address their own workplace environments and support workers’ mental health . As a mental health researcher and doctoral student, I have seen firsthand how important it is to take steps to ensure emotional well-being across all dimensions of life. Sometimes, the topics and people we are working with to implement a program or conduct research can be challenging to process, which is why it’s so important to advocate for and practice emotional wellness. Many of us are in this field because struggles with mental health have touched our lives.

We know that mental health is truly not just an individual issue—it affects families, communities, teams, organizations, and our broader society. This World Mental Health Day, we urge everyone to take proactive steps towards creating a work environment that supports mental well-being for everyone. We also encourage any students or early career professional grappling with mental health across work, personal life and academic pursuits to join the Global Alliance Student and Early Career (SEC) Task Force, where you can find people who provide support and share experiences navigating difficult environments.

Here’s some examples of how we can make a difference across different levels of influence:

Individual: Practicing Self-Care and Recognizing Signs of Stress

The foundation of a mental health at work starts with each of us. Individuals need to prioritize self-care and recognize when they’re experiencing signs of stress and burnout. This can involve:

• Do Not Disturb: Establishing boundaries for work-life balance, such as disconnecting from work emails after hours.
• Touch Grass: Engaging in mindfulness or relaxation practices during breaks to recharge.
• Know Yourself: Recognizing the symptoms of burnout—like emotional exhaustion, cynicism, or feeling ineffective—and seeking support when they arise.

Encouraging a culture where individuals feel empowered to take care of their mental health can lead to more resilient and productive people and teams.

Interpersonal: Creating Connections at Work

Interpersonal relationships at work can be a major source of support. Small acts of connection can go a long way toward fostering a supportive workplace culture:

• Hang Out: Organizing casual team activities, such as happy hour or trivia night, can help build camaraderie and strengthen bonds between coworkers.
• Check In: Taking the time to ask a colleague how they’re doing—genuinely listening to their response—creates an environment where people feel heard and supported.

When people feel connected to their peers, they are more likely to feel comfortable sharing their struggles, which helps reduce feelings of isolation and stress.

Organizational: Fostering Healthy Work Environments

Creating a workplace environment that values psychological safety and wellness is crucial for employee mental health:

• Psychological Safety: Organizations should cultivate an atmosphere where employees feel safe speaking up, sharing their ideas, or voicing concerns without fear of retaliation or judgment.
• Prioritizing Wellness: Offering access to wellness resources, such as counseling services, flexible work schedules, and wellness programs that include creative and social activities, can help employees manage stress and promote balance.
• Celebrate Wins: Ensuring that workloads are manageable and recognizing achievements can also contribute to a more positive work culture.

A healthy organizational environment not only supports individuals but leads to more creativity, engagement, and overall productivity.

Policy: Supporting Mental Health Through Benefits and Programs

Organizations have the power to make systemic changes through their policies. Consider expanding benefits that support mental and emotional well-being:

• Cover Connection: Policies that support social connection, such as funding for team-building activities, access to arts and culture events, or exercise classes, can enhance employees’ quality of life. Benefits that encourage engagement in nature, like group hikes or community gardening activities, can also promote well-being and reduce stress.
• Flexibility : Flexible work policies that allow people to manage personal responsibilities can significantly impact their mental health. This is especially true for people with caregiving responsibilities, such as parents or those with medically frail family members.

These policies signal to employees that their mental well-being is a priority and help cultivate a sense of belonging and balance.

Societal: Advocating for Mental Health and Well-Being Beyond the Workplace

The impact of mental health initiatives extends beyond individual workplaces—it affects our communities and society at large:

• Policy Advocacy: Organizations can play an important role in advocating for public policies that promote mental health. This could include pushing for greater access to mental health services, promoting workplace well-being standards, or supporting community mental health initiatives.

A Shared Commitment to Mental Health

As an interdisciplinary organization, we are committed to promoting mental health as a fundamental component of overall health, helping to drive societal change that supports everyone’s well-being. This World Mental Health Day, let’s commit to prioritizing mental health at work. By making small changes at the individual, interpersonal, organizational, policy, and societal levels, we can collectively create a world where workplaces support and uplift every person. When mental health is valued as part of a healthy workplace culture, everyone benefits—employees thrive, organizations prosper, and our communities become stronger.

Join us in advocating for workplace mental health—not just today, but every day. Together, we can create healthier, more supportive work environments for all.

How Will You Promote Mental Health at Work?

We invite you to share your own experiences, initiatives, or suggestions for promoting mental health in the workplace! Find us on Linkedin and post your thoughts in our comments or reshare of this blog. Let’s collaborate and learn from one another, creating a ripple effect that benefits not just our work environments, but society as a whole.