Mental Health in the Workplace: Creating a Culture of Care

The workplace plays a significant role in our mental health — yet it’s often the last place we feel safe discussing it. Burnout, anxiety, and overwhelm are common, but rarely addressed openly.

As a leader or coworker, you have the power to shift that culture.

What a mentally healthy workplace looks like:

• Open conversations about stress, boundaries, and workload.

• Mental health days are encouraged, not punished.

• Managers lead with empathy, not just productivity metrics.

• Team members feel safe to express concerns.

Here are some ways to make that a reality:

• Train managers in mental health awareness.

• Add mental health resources to employee onboarding.

• Normalize taking breaks — publicly and consistently.

• Celebrate people, not just performance.

If you're an employee, advocate for yourself and others:

• Use your PTO unapologetically.

• Offer support to coworkers when you notice they’re off.

• Suggest mental health workshops or surveys to leadership.

Remember, your job is not more important than your wellbeing. A culture of care benefits everyone — happier employees, better retention, stronger teams.