“What is an innovative strategy to address mental health in the workplace?”
Here’s what YEC community members, founders, and experts had to say:
1. Help employees achieve their dreams.
“One innovative strategy for addressing mental health in the workplace is to help employees achieve their dreams. At our company, we implemented a “dream wall” where employees are encouraged to write down their top three bucket list goals. These goals range from taking a trip across the world to attending a Taylor Swift concert. By encouraging employees to log in every day and see their big goals prominently displayed, we’ve seen significant improvements in mental health within our company. Not only are our team members achieving their personal bucket list goals faster, they’re also celebrating the accomplishments of their peers, fostering a supportive and motivating work environment. This simple yet powerful initiative has done wonders for our employees’ mental well-being and overall job satisfaction.” ~ Robert De Los SantosCEO, Sky High Party Rentals
2. Temporary coverage
“When you see a manager or employee who is really showing unhealthy levels of stress and emotional distress, go see if someone can help or temporarily compensate them by letting them go on a short break. They can spend some time de-stressing, perhaps with their family or friends. Until this person is able to fully control their emotions, they are not giving their full value to the company. To the extent that you are not intruding on their privacy, also look at why they are feeling this way.” ~ Zain JafarCEO, Zain Ventures
3. Regular wellness checks
“One strategy for addressing mental health in the workplace is to implement regular ‘health checks.’ These are structured but informal, one-on-one sessions between employees and trained mental health facilitators. The goal is to provide a safe space for employees to discuss their mental health, share any challenges they are facing, and receive support and resources tailored to their needs. For example, my company implemented ‘health checks’ as part of our broader mental health initiative. One of our team members was struggling with anxiety and feeling overwhelmed by their workload. During the health check, they felt comfortable opening up about their struggles. The manager provided immediate support, including stress management techniques and workload adjustments. Additionally, they were connected to a professional counselor for further assistance. This strategy helped the individual employee feel supported and valued but also helped create a culture of openness and care within the team. As a result, we saw a significant improvement in morale and overall productivity, as employees felt more balanced and supported in their roles.” ~ Christine Kimberly MarquetteFounder and Creative Director, Market Media, LLC
4. Garden and relaxation area
“We created a therapeutic community garden/relaxation area for the staff at our rehab center. This additional space was designed to be a sanctuary where staff can relax without feeling the need to ‘work.’
Our simple and innovative strategy is “don’t show, don’t tell.” Any of our employees can choose to spend uninterrupted time in the garden by removing their name badge. This simple gesture ensures that colleagues respect their need for solitude and mental rest.
Whether it’s a quick 5-minute break or a longer 25-minute break, the employee-only garden provides a space to relax and breathe, knowing that the opportunity to get away from it all is always there.” ~ Ashley MurrayLCSW, Chief Clinical Officer, Restoring Sana Lakes
5. Creative Corporate Wellness Programs
“One innovative strategy I recommend for mental health in the workplace is to offer creative corporate wellness programs. I find it particularly helpful to partner with companies to design mindful office spaces and teach employees simple exercises they can do right at their desks to relieve stress and recharge. This way, companies can focus on maximizing their performance while the provider takes care of employee wellbeing. With programs like yoga, Pilates, and even meditation, all of which can be tailored to your industry, team size, and available space, companies can creatively invest in employee health.” ~ Eco WangCEO and Founder, Kawa yoga
6. Conduct a comprehensive job analysis.
“One effective strategy to promote mental health in the workplace is to conduct a comprehensive job analysis and delegate or eliminate non-essential tasks. In a tech startup environment, I have observed that employees are often overloaded with tasks outside their scope of expertise, leading to stress and burnout. To combat this, I recommended assessing each role to identify critical responsibilities and simplifying or delegating simple tasks to support employees or automated systems. This approach reduced stress levels and enabled employees to focus on core functions, thereby enhancing job satisfaction and mental well-being. Aligning tasks with employee skills and eliminating redundant duties can create a healthier and more productive work environment. Thus, this approach not only promotes mental health but also improves overall organizational efficiency and employee morale.” ~ Christy TseFounder and Therapist, Discover mental health counseling
7. Offer mental health days
“We can address mental health in the workplace by introducing ‘mental health days’ as a standard benefit. We were inspired by a team member who shared that he was on the verge of burnout but felt he couldn’t take a day off without a ‘sick’ reason. Mental health days allow employees to take time off specifically for their well-being without having to explain. Since implementing this policy, we’ve seen an increase in morale and productivity. One colleague even spent his day off at a cat café and came away not only refreshed but full of new ideas and a new love for cats! By making mental health a priority, just like physical health, we’ve created a more supportive and effective work environment.” ~ Rachel BederCEO, Press for modern massage
8. Flexible work schedules and remote work options
“In my experience, one of the most innovative strategies a company can implement to support mental health is to offer flexible work schedules and remote work options. Giving employees more control and autonomy over their work lives has been shown to significantly reduce stress and improve well-being. When people have the freedom to adjust their hours or work from home as needed, they feel less overwhelmed by strict schedules and demands. They can make time to exercise, connect with loved ones, or simply rest when they feel stressed or anxious. Overall, flexibility and balance are key to maintaining a healthy, productive, and happy workforce.” ~ Sonari KomolchomaliHead of Human Resources Department, Cupid Public Relations
Image: Envato
