The Bold Shift We Need: Prioritizing Mental Health in the Workplace

Read time: ~4 Minutes

We spend more hours at work than almost anywhere else, so why isn’t mental health a bigger part of the workplace conversation?

We are turning the page into a new month, and May is Mental Health Awareness Month. If there’s one thing I’ve learned through my own healing and leadership journey, it’s this: burnout doesn’t arrive unannounced.

It builds in silence. It thrives in environments where pushing through is praised more than pausing for a check-in.

In today’s go-go-go world, productivity is often placed above people, but that’s a broken system. Because here’s the truth: mentally healthy humans create better work, stronger relationships, and more meaningful impact.

It’s time to flip the script. Let’s build workplaces that support resilience, not just results.

Here’s where we start:

1. Normalize the conversation.

Mental health isn’t a weakness—it’s a part of being human. Yet in many workplaces, people still hesitate to ask for help out of fear. That needs to change. Leaders, your voice matters. Be open, be real, and model what it means to care out loud.

2. Redefine hustle culture.

The grind doesn’t need to be glorified. Rest is not laziness. Breaks aren’t a luxury. They’re how we refuel. Encourage unplugged weekends, mental health days, and boundaries that allow your team to recharge and return better.

3. Encourage self-care like it’s part of the job (because it is.)

A five-minute walk, a deep breath between meetings, a real lunch break—these are not distractions. They’re part of sustainable success. And leaders? Your actions teach your team what’s allowed. Walk the walk.

4. Check in (and really mean it.)

“How are you?” should never be a box to check. Make space for honest conversations. When someone opens up, listen without fixing. Show up with presence, not platitudes.

5. Offer real, accessible support.

Mental health support shouldn’t be buried in the benefits folder. Make it clear, easy to access, and consistent. From EAPs to therapy stipends to wellness programming, let your people know they’re supported and seen.

This isn’t about being “soft.” It’s about being smart.

Mental wellness fuels creativity, problem-solving, innovation, and connection, the lifeblood of any thriving organization.

If you’re in a leadership role, be the one who makes the shift. If you’re on a team, advocate for what you need. Every bold change begins with one brave voice.

Let’s build workplaces where humans thrive, not just survive. Because a healthy business starts with a healthy mind.