Support Mental Health Before it's a Crisis

According to a 2023 survey by the American Psychological Association, 92% of employees say it’s important for them to work in an organization that provides employee mental health support.

A recent study also found that workplaces promoting good mental health are more likely to decrease absenteeism, presenteeism, and diminished productivity at work.

By taking a proactive approach to workplace wellness, companies can improve their employees’ work environment and better retain talent.

Marjorie Morrison, SHRM executive in residence for mental health and licensed clinical psychotherapist, is a big advocate of proactive mental health care. 

These three strategies will help you create a workplace where mental health support is addressed proactively instead of offered reactively.

Create a Psychologically Safe Work Environment

Psychological safety plays an essential role in building an open and supportive culture. According to Morrison, the key elements of a psychologically safe work environment are:

• Trust and respect: Employees feel valued and respected regardless of their role or background.
• Open communication: Team members can speak up, sharing concerns, opinions, ideas, and emotions without fear of backlash or stigma.
• Supportive leadership: Managers actively listen, acknowledge challenges, and provide constructive guidance.
• Growth-oriented mindset: Mistakes are seen as learning opportunities rather than personal or professional failures.
• Inclusion: Diverse perspectives are always welcomed and encouraged, helping to ensure that all employees feel like they belong.

Together, these elements create the foundation for a psychologically safe culture — one where employees feel empowered to speak up, ask for help, and access the support they need. 

Morrison said the overarching advantage of this work environment is that employees can feel comfortable sharing how they’re feeling or what they need, which allows managers and HR to connect them with benefits and other resources to help address those needs.

A truly proactive approach means having multiple professional support systems and avenues for employees ready to go. This sets healthy boundaries and accelerates how quickly employees can get mental health support.

Personalize the Mental Health Experience

Creating a psychologically safe work environment isn’t a one-size-fits-all process — it looks different for everyone. One way to address this proactively is to personalize each employee’s experience at work. 

“First and foremost, the employee has to be able to get their job done. Setting up types of accommodations, work schedules, and whatever might be needed to make it so that they can get their work done — that’s where we’re seeing a lot of success,” Morrison said.

For example, this could look like allowing a flexible schedule so employees can easily go to weekly therapy sessions. Another example is creating inclusive workspaces that let employees choose whether to pick a quiet spot to work or sit in a more public, bustling area.

Offering robust mental health benefits is another way to personalize employees’ mental health experience. These might include:

• Mental health days.
• Wellness stipends.
• Health insurance with teletherapy options.
• Preventive health webinars.
• Mindfulness programs and resiliency training.

Make Employees Part of the Solution

Organizational mental health should prioritize employee well-being. Getting employees involved in the creation of mental health programs is the best way to successfully support them, Morrison said.

“We see companies put a lot of emphasis on their mental wellness programs, but they are disconnected from what people need,” Morrison said. “It’s really important to create an environment where the employees are part of the solution, and it will also help them have skin in the game and build trust and credibility with their employers.” 

Here are a few ways you might involve employees in your programming:

• Send a companywide, anonymous survey of your current mental health programs and benefits. 
• Beta-test new programs on volunteers before officially launching.
• Make employee feedback an integral part of measuring and tracking success.
• Create focus groups from Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), if available.
• Provide training and spaces for people who want to learn more about mental health and available support systems.

Taking the Proactive Approach

Proactive mental health is a forward-thinking, long-term strategy. It involves implementing practices and resources that improve well-being and prevent issues from emerging, rather than reacting to them as they arise.

Investing in proactive mental health isn’t just good for your employees — it’s a strategic advantage. By taking meaningful action today, you create a culture where people can thrive, perform their best, and stay for the long haul.