4 Leadership Must Dos for Cultivating
Mental Health & Wellness

As you’ll have heard me share repeatedly in other blogs, supporting mental health in the workplace is integral to fostering inclusive and supportive employee experiences. It’s fundamental for creating environments where team members feel valued, motivated, and empowered to bring their full selves to work – where everyone experiences belonging.

Oftentimes, when leaders talk about mental health inclusion, they focus on the importance of offering resources such as Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and encouraging team members to take greater ownership of their self-care. 

While this is important, here is a key issue: this type of focus places the burden on individual team members, rather than addressing mental health at a systemic level. True cultural change to improve employee experiences begins with leaders shifting their behaviors to foster a supportive and healthy work environment for everyone. I call this “Shift Leadership” – which is all about centering the employee experience by putting the primary onus on leaders to change how they lead, manage, coach, and direct. And of course, this has a profound impact on mental health and wellness in the workplace. 

So how can you, as a leader, make greater efforts to shift your behaviors to cultivate greater mental health and wellness with your teams? Here are four “must do’s” to focus on:

1. Use Inclusive Language

The words we use matter deeply, especially when it comes to mental health. Inclusive language ensures that all team members feel seen, respected, and understood, regardless of their experiences or background. By avoiding stigmatizing phrases and opting for neutral, supportive terms, we interrupt biases and stigma, and instead create an environment where team members feel safe to share their mental health challenges. For example, instead of saying “He’s having a breakdown,” consider saying, “He’s going through a tough time.” For more guidance on inclusive language relating to mental health inclusion, check out bci’s tip sheet and our YouTube playlist.

2. Normalize Talking About Mental Health Challenges at Work

As a leader, you want to set the tone for open discussions around mental health, creating a space where vulnerability is met with support rather than judgment. This can be achieved by sharing your own challenges with mental health. Know this: when you talk about your own experiences, it reduces the stigma surrounding mental health conversations, making it easier for your team members to speak up when they need support. It also signals to your team members that they’re not alone in their struggles. By simply saying, “I’m having a tough mental health day” or “I wanted to check in with you, how are you doing?”, we can transform someone’s experience.

3. Give Reasonable Deadlines and Manageable Workloads

One of the biggest contributors to stress in the workplace is unrealistic expectations around deadlines and volume of work. As leaders, it’s crucial that we set reasonable timelines and ensure that workloads are manageable. When our employees are constantly overwhelmed by tasks and tight deadlines, they’re more likely to experience mental health challenges, including burnout. Providing clarity on priorities and allowing for flexibility with work deliverables signals to your team that their mental well-being is a priority, fostering a healthier work environment.

4. Take Care of Your Own Mental Health

As leaders, our mental health directly impacts our teams. When we’re stressed, exhausted, or unwell, it’s easy for that stress to trickle down, affecting the way we interact with others and potentially leading to frustration or unintentional harm. Leading from a mindset of wellness and  prioritizing your own mental health sets an example for the rest of the team. Being visible and vocal about taking breaks, practicing self-care, and seeking support when necessary are all critical actions leaders must take to model healthy behaviors for their teams.

Implementing these leadership must do’s requires effort, commitment, and dedication to creating healthier workplaces. But the payoff is worth it: when we, as leaders, prioritize mental health and well-being, our teams become more engaged, energized, and empowered to do their best work. All of these outcomes lead to a deeper sense of belonging and overall engagement in the workplace. So don’t shy away from the challenge—embrace it! It might take time, but it’s worth it for everyone, including you.

Are my words resonating with you? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Please send me a message through our Contact Us page, LinkedIn, or Instagram.