How to lead by example to improve your employees’ mental health
Leaders cannot afford to stand on the sidelines of the mental health crisis.
And it is a crisis – 20 percent of adults struggle with some form of mental illness, and depression and anxiety alone cost the global economy US$1 trillion per year in lost productivity. 80 percent of the workforce reports that work-related stress negatively affects their mental health.
These statistics aren’t just numbers; they are a stark reminder that mental health is not a personal issue – it’s a leadership issue.
Despite the increasing awareness of mental health challenges, many leaders feel unqualified, unequipped and unsure of how to respond. There’s a lingering misconception that leaders should leave mental health concerns to HR, wellness programs or therapists.
But fostering mental health at work takes more than an Employee Assistance Program. It takes more than Mental Health First Aid training and occasional wellness workshops, too. To turn the tide on the mental health epidemic, we need to fundamentally shift the culture of leadership and organizations.
The question is not whether you influence the mental wellbeing of your employees. You already do. The real question is: How do you create a workplace that supports healing, growth and resilience, rather than one that contributes to stress and burnout?
The workplace as a force for mental health
The most effective leaders understand that their impact on people extends beyond business results – it shapes their employees’ wellbeing. Many people spend more time with their boss and colleagues than with their friends and family, and the workplace reaches more individuals than any other institution in America.
What’s missing is the bridge that transcends stigma and connects us to the care we need and deserve.
And while many barriers to care are outside of our control, a major obstacle is one that we can all help remove: stigma. The shame society unfairly attaches to mental illness prevents people from seeking help. Over 60 percent of employees who struggle with mental health do not seek professional help due to stigma.
What’s missing is the bridge that transcends stigma and connects us to the care we need and deserve.
Community is the bridge
The key to closing the gap between mental health struggles and the care that exists isn’t just better resources, it’s better connection. Community is the bridge that meets people where they are and helps them access the support they need.
But not just any community. Sadly, many of us surround ourselves with people who pull us into negativity, complacency, avoidance or worse.
Show your team that for you leadership isn’t just about getting the work done, it’s about caring for people.
What’s needed is a healing community – one that fosters connection, growth and psychological safety. Healing community creates an environment where people feel seen, heard and encouraged to seek help without fear of stigma. Leaders have the power to cultivate this kind of healing community at work, turning everyday interactions into moments of meaningful support.
Be the bridge: Connecting people to care
You can be the bridge that connects people with the care they need and deserve. Don’t know where to start? Try this recipe for healing community:
1. Believe that people can change. Leaders who adopt a mindset of possibility help employees navigate difficulties without feeling trapped by past struggles.
2. Be vulnerable and listen. Leaders who demonstrate vulnerability pave the way for employees to do the same, reducing isolation and fostering strong support networks.
3. Share concerns with candor and care. Leaders who care enough to speak up about their concerns create a culture where individuals feel valued and truly supported.
How does this look in everyday leadership moments? Here are practical ways leaders can ‘be the bridge’ in different settings:
One-on-one meetings: Instead of diving straight into tasks, take a moment to check in. A simple question like, "What do you need the most right now?" can open the door for deeper conversations.
Ad hoc conversations: The most impactful conversations often happen in the moment. If you notice a team member is not at their best, try saying something like, "You don’t seem yourself today – can we grab a coffee and talk?" Show your team that for you leadership isn’t just about getting the work done, it’s about caring for people.
Team meetings: Normalize vulnerability, listening, candor and care. You might start with a pulse check, like "On a scale of 1 to 10, how overwhelmed are you feeling today, and what do you need to get to your sweet spot? I’m a ‘5’ because I didn’t sleep well last night, so I’m going to commit to getting to bed after dinner without checking email this evening."
Normalizing these conversations breaks down stigma, encourages openness and helps you know when to follow up with a one-to-one.
Company-wide communications: Leaders can use their platforms, like emails, town halls or Slack messages, to reinforce that mental health matters. Messages like these can go a long way to breaking down the barrier of stigma: "Treat mental health like physical health: take it seriously, and get the care you need." Or, "No matter the state of our mental health, there’s always room to improve," and, "Taking care of yourself is not a sign of weakness, but strength."
Role modeling: Practice what you preach – take a mental health day, share a bit about your mental health challenges, and create space to listen when others feel safe enough to share.
Being the bridge isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about creating pathways to the support that already exists. When leaders commit to creating healing communities, they transform the workplace into more than just a place of employment. It becomes a space where people thrive mentally, emotionally, physically and even spiritually.
Imagine an organizational culture where employees don’t just survive their workdays but find fulfillment and purpose in them.
The power is yours
A shift in workplace culture doesn’t happen overnight. It starts with small, intentional changes. By consistently practicing the ‘recipe for healing connection,’ leaders can create an environment where employees feel supported, valued, and empowered to seek care when needed.
Sure, it takes a little skill, but mostly, it takes courage. Have a conscious impact on those around you. Treat mental health as a core leadership priority. Be the bridge. Build healing communities. Because when you do, you won’t just improve individual lives – you’ll transform the future of work itself.
You have the power to make the workplace the most powerful promoter of mental health on the planet.