A HEALTHY YOU
Prioritizing Mental Health for a Stronger Workforce
Mental Health Awareness Month is an annual observance in May, to highlight the importance of mental wellbeing, educate the public about the importance of mental health, decrease stigma and encourage support for those affected by mental health conditions. Each year, individuals and organizations join to raise awareness and advocate for better mental health care and resources.
When our mental health is not at an optimal level, life feels more like a struggle, depression and anxiety are likely to set in and unhealthy coping strategies are more apt to occur such as excessive drinking, eating poorly, sleeping too much or sleeping too little. Often employees will become apathetic and unproductive at work when struggling with mental health issues. People might feel sad or tearful and hopeless and exhausted. Studies have found that poor mental health plays a significant role in diminished immune functioning. Medically ill patients with depression have worse outcomes than those without, demonstrating the important link between body and mind.
Employee well-being is no longer a secondary concern—it is a business imperative, and HR professionals and managers play a pivotal role in it. Mental health in the workplace refers to the psychological and emotional well-being of employees in a professional setting. It encompasses stress management, work-life balance, emotional resilience, and access to support systems that enable individuals to perform at their best.
A 2025 report from Mental Health America (MHA) provides information about how employers can encourage employee mental health. Some key points from MHA include:
- Making mental health a core business strategy and integrating mental health into corporate organizational strategy
- Creating transparent and accountable communication around major corporate transitions and how employees will be impacted
- Financial wellness as mental health support so employees have resources around financial planning and education
· Providing comprehensive mental health benefits to employees - Conducting thorough reviews of hiring practices for fairness of individuals with mental health issues
While employee mental health support is expanding, many employees are still struggling. Based on a 2026 report from Lyra health, many organizations are:
- Restructuring mental health support for increasing care complexity and family needs
- Providing strategies to support managers to protect employees’ well-being
- Turning mental health support into measurable improvements in productivity, retention, and health outcomes
Pay attention if you or someone you know is exhibiting signs of depression or anxiety and seek professional help when needed. Consider incorporating activities into your routine that are demonstrated to significantly improve mental health such as journaling, breathwork, meditation, positive affirmations or progressive muscle relaxation. Studies show that a strong community and support network can be extremely beneficial for mental health. There is no one right size that fits all for mental health. Do what you find helpful and experiment with different strategies for decreasing stress and lifting depression.
Other Resources
Thirteen simple ideas to honor mental wellness.
Article by Calm
About the Author
Cynthia Conigliaro has been in the field of health and wellness for over 25 years. She has a BA in Psychology from College of the Holy Cross and graduate degrees in Social Work (MSW) and Business (MBA) with a focus in both Leadership and Marketing from Boston College.
Cynthia is the founder of her corporate wellness presentation business Work Well Webinars, a company that designs and delivers wellness presentations virtually and in person to companies, schools, hospitals, libraries and groups across the country. Cynthia’s wellness presentations span body, mind and spirit as she takes a holistic approach to wellness.
For the past six years Cynthia has been an active volunteer at the Worksite Wellness Council of Massachusetts (WWCMA) where she is on both the Programs and Marketing committees. Cynthia is an Ambassador for the Corridor 9/495 Chamber of Commerce and sits on the Programs Committee for the chamber. Cynthia volunteers at All Paths as an Infertility Support Group Leader and Facilitator coaching resilience, stress management and mindfulness for women dealing with infertility and pregnancy loss.