What do you think of when I say workplace mental health?
Your employee family assistance program? Some newsletter tips on mindfulness and work-life balance? Or maybe your organization even has wellness days as part of your benefits.
But what does a mentally healthy workplace actually look like, and why is it so important?
How can you create an environment where people feel supported, valued, and genuinely happy to come to work?
Let’s break it down.
A mentally healthy workplace is one where employees feel safe talking about mental health, seeking support, and showing up authentically at work. Raise your hand if you think this sounds pretty great, right?
So what steps can you start taking today, this month and this year to start moving your workplace culture in the right direction?
Let's Start with Communication
Think of a place where everyone—whether you’re the intern or the CEO—feels comfortable talking about concerns, work challenges, or even personal struggles. Being comfortable enough to say, "hey, I’m feeling overwhelmed” is what you're striving for.
Make weekly check-ins not just about performance, but about how people are really doing. Being heard and supported goes a long way in improving workplace wellness.
A mentally healthy also workplace respects your time. We’ve all heard about the importance of work-life balance, but in a mentally healthy environment, it’s actually put into practice.
Employees can set boundaries and aren’t expected to answer emails at 10 p.m. or skip lunch to finish a project. Flexibility is key here, whether it’s offering remote work options, flexible hours, or simply understanding that sometimes life happens. When work isn’t constantly creeping into personal time, employees can recharge and bring their best selves to work without feeling drained.
People Feel Safe to Speak Up
In a healthy work environment, people aren’t afraid to share ideas, admit mistakes, or offer feedback—without the fear of being shut down or embarrassed. It’s called psychological safety, and it’s a game-changer. People know they can take risks, voice opinions, and even fail without it being held against them. In fact, failure is seen as part of growth.
Leaders Walk the Talk
Leaders don’t just talk about well-being—they actually model it. This means managers take breaks, use their vacation days, and know how to manage stress in healthy ways. When leaders prioritize their own mental health, it sends a powerful message to the rest of the team: "It’s okay to take care of yourself."
Supportive leadership also means showing empathy, being approachable, and understanding that employees are human beings, not just workers focused on results.
Workload is Manageable
We’ve all had those weeks where the to-do list feels impossible. Hey, even I have weeks like that! But when every day feels overwhelming, something’s wrong. In a supportive workplace, managers pay attention to the workload and make sure it’s reasonable. If someone is overloaded, tasks are adjusted, deadlines are flexible, or extra help is brought in.
The goal is not to burn people out, but to set them up for success by giving them the right amount of work and the resources they need to get it done well.
Resources are Easy to access
A workplace that cares about mental health makes it easy for employees to get help if they need it. This could mean offering counselling services, employee assistance programs (EAPs), or paid leave. But it’s not enough just to have these resources—they should be well-advertised, free from stigma, and seen as a normal part of self-care.
When employees know they have access to support, whether they’re struggling with stress or something more serious, it can make all the difference.
The Why of Workplace Wellness
Ok, so we have given you some great ways to start moving the needle on workplace wellness, but are you secretly wondering if all this investment is really worth it when it comes to your business goals?
The short answer is YES.
Here is why:
When people feel good mentally, they do better work. It’s that simple. A mentally healthy workplace means fewer distractions from stress, anxiety, or burnout, allowing employees to focus, make better decisions, and get more done.
People want to stay in workplaces where they feel supported and respected. When mental health is prioritized, employees are more likely to stay with a company long-term, which means less turnover and more stability for the team.
Employees who feel good about their workplace are more likely to be engaged in their work. They’re motivated, involved, and connected to what they’re doing, which leads to better results for both the employees and the company.
They are also less likely to take time off because of stress or burnout. When your team is happy and healthy, they show up consistently, ready to do their best.
Ready to get started on making real change?
Thriving Workplaces can help your organization identify the pinch points contributing to mental health concerns and help you create easy-to-implement strategies for a healthy and productive workplace culture where everyone feels supported.
Get in touch to book a FREE 20-minute conversation on creating actionable mental health strategies that create real change.
