Loading...Loading...April 29, 2025
Employees who are less comfortable talking about their mental health at work are more likely to report feeling burnout, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Managers can play a pivotal role in helping employees who are struggling and don’t know where to turn. Yet NAMI also reports that 70% of senior leaders aren’t trained to discuss mental health with their teams.
Research from the American Psychological Association shows that just three hours of mental health awareness training can significantly improve leaders' ability to support their teams. Key actions include:
- Creating psychological safety
- Conducting meaningful check-ins
- Modeling vulnerability
- Normalizing mental health discussions
- Getting familiar with available resources
You can empower managers with mental health awareness training, regular communications about well-being benefits and resources, peer support programs, and flexible work policies. An EAP program rounds it all out.
The investment in mental health programs is clearly worth it. Every dollar invested yields $2.30 in returns through less absenteeism, more productivity, and reduced turnover, according to Blue Beyond. By giving managers proper training and resources, you can create a more supportive workplace where employees feel comfortable seeking help.
Listen to our on-demand webinar to learn more: Managing with mental health in mind