Purpose-driven Insights: Prioritizing Workplace Mental Wellness

Nowadays, maintaining productivity, encouraging teamwork, and keeping talent all depend on mental wellness. Companies that put mental health first have more resilient and engaged teams in addition to better workplaces.

This roundup highlights the critical role that mental health plays in attaining both personal fulfillment and corporate success by acknowledging the value of open communication, resource accessibility, and proactive support. It serves as a reminder that when workers are psychologically healthy, they bring their best self to work, which benefits both individuals and teams as well as the community at large.

Here’s what thought leaders say.

Create Safe Wellness Check-In Days

We’ve prioritized creating a work environment where discussing mental health feels safe and open. We’ve done this by introducing monthly “wellness check-in” days. These are informal, optional sessions where team members can discuss their stress levels and challenges, or unwind together. It’s not a therapy session—it’s more about creating a space where people feel heard and know they aren’t alone.

This practice has helped us see early signs when someone might need extra support, allowing us to step in with flexible work arrangements or additional resources. It’s been a simple but effective way to remind everyone that their well-being matters as much as their work.

Shane McEvoy, MD, Flycast Media

Host Storytelling Sessions for Staff

We use more casual and comforting terms such as “Open Mic” or “Storytelling Sessions” to illustrate our commitment to championing mental health in our recovery center and to allow our staff to receive the benefits of our care, not just provide it. We host regular storytelling sessions where employees and leaders can share their mental health journeys and experiences with their colleagues.

It helps foster and maintain an open, safe culture. It’s a well-known fact that some of the best counselors are former patients or addicts, and we actively encourage them to share their stories with colleagues. They’re used to opening up to patients every day, helping them see that recovery is possible and relatable. But these sessions are different—they’re just for staff. Even if some of our staff don’t have a history of substance use, they’re still encouraged to join the sessions because mental health and well-being aren’t just tied to recovery.

Sharing with fellow sobriety partners creates a different kind of support. When counselors, nurses, or doctors talk about their own experiences with each other, it helps champion mental health by allowing those in active recovery to recognize warning signs more clearly and step in if they notice a colleague struggling. It’s not just about being better; it’s about tapping into a shared understanding that only comes from experiencing it firsthand.

These sessions are kept separate from everyday patient interactions because they give staff a space to be vulnerable without feeling the need to stay “strong” for others. It’s a chance for them to connect with peers who understand their journey from the inside and to offer or receive support in a way that doesn’t take away from their energy to help patients. After all, those in recovery need to look after themselves first, and being able to share honestly in a safe environment is crucial for that.

Dr Lea McMahon, Chief Clinical Officer, Symetria Recovery

Partner with Local Organizations

We are dedicated to advancing mental health awareness through community-driven initiatives and educational endeavors. By partnering with local organizations, we steer workshops that address mental health with cultural sensitivity, enhancing support for communities of color and the LGBTQ+ demographic.

These initiatives, such as our seminars at a local LGBTQ+ center, equip individuals with tools to manage stress and anxiety, promoting open dialogue and reducing stigma. We also offer free online psycho-education series, designed around current social issues, to increase accessibility for underserved populations. Our efforts strive to foster environments of understanding and acceptance, positioning mental health as an integral part of overall well-being.

Kristie Tse, Psychotherapist | Mental Health Expert | Founder, Uncover Mental Health Counseling

Utilize a Therapeutic Garden

Not meaning to sound clichéd or rattle off some corporate-speak, we are honestly more than just a team. We’re a caring, close-knit group who show up every day knowing that a “bad day at the office” for us can mean dealing with relapse, heartbreak, or even tragedy. But instead of letting that get us down, it pushes us to support our clients—and each other—even more.

If you don’t look after yourself, how can you be expected to look after other people, let alone do a good job of it?

Being hyperaware and experienced in mental health, we realize that carers need care too.

While we offer various ways to support our staff mentally, like flexible work policies and confidential counseling, the heart of it all is our therapeutic garden. It’s not just another box-ticking initiative; it’s a living, breathing space for tranquility, peace, and freedom. Free from patients and the constant pressure of always being “on.”

We’ve kept it simple with one rule: “No badge, no banter. No sign, no stress.” When someone removes their badge, it’s a gentle signal that they need some time alone. Whether it’s a quick breather or a longer break to decompress, the garden is a space to shake off the weight of the day.

In regular doses, we’ve found that silence and solitude can be just the tonic needed. It’s a place where well-being isn’t just encouraged; it’s genuinely looked after.

Ashley Murry, Chief Clinical Officer, Sane Lake Recovery

Promote Mental Health Through Programs

In synchronization with the overall health model, where physical and mental health are provided as one integral part of the care, we also recognize the need for consideration of mental and psychological health. We are aware that the causes of mental health problems also lie in society itself and, therefore, we sensitize society, including the patients, that it is normal to seek help when they are in need.

Among the basic programs we carry out is the “Mindful Moments” program, which provides patients and families with mental health resources, therapy, support groups, and individual counseling. We try to help patients use this program to break the stigma attached to mental illness so that people can speak about their mental health issues. A diverse range of interventions has a powerful ripple effect and increases well-being, and therefore, it’s worth emphasizing the support for those who experience anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.

As part of our campaign to raise mental health awareness, annual “Wellness Week” events are organized, and different activities for the general public about stress management, coping, informational materials, and workshops are organized. While all the speakers offer the same service, we want the attendees to hear from the community so we can promote Ben’s connections with the community.

This program has helped not only with useful materials but also with the discussions that tackle mental health stigmas. Every one of us believes that when we promote mental health, we heal the whole community.

Rachel Lowe, Physician Assistant, Restore Care

Integrate Mental Health into Practice

Our organization prioritizes mental health awareness by integrating it into every facet of our practice. We offer comprehensive support for individuals facing mental health challenges through workshops and patient education. Our monthly “Mind-and-Body Wellness” seminars exemplify our commitment. These sessions provide valuable resources and actionable strategies for managing stress and anxiety, empowering attendees with practical tools.

We also actively work to destigmatize mental health discussions by fostering open communication in a supportive environment. By sharing stories of resilience and recovery, we aim to inspire and instill hope, removing the barriers that prevent individuals from seeking the help they need.

Dr. Amanda Dee Richardson, Owner and Chiropractor, Healing Hands Chiropractic

Use Yoga for Mental Wellness

We emphasize the awareness of mental health using mindfulness and relaxation techniques, combined in our yoga practice. We particularly emphasize getting students to use yoga for managing stress and mental wellness.

We are particularly focusing on trauma-informed yoga. Therefore, we provide individualized resources and support for a person to work through their emotional challenges, making mental health challenges less stigmatized. Our articles and classes show how one practically works through techniques that will prepare students to receive this with openness and support so that people can be comfortable healing and growing within a safe environment.

Timothy Burgin, Founder and Executive Director, Yoga Basics

Incorporate Mental Health into Meetings

Mental health is at the forefront of our organization. Our efforts have really been taken to the next level, incorporating mental health support into every day. One method that we’ve found has worked well is to bring mental health into staff meetings on a regular basis.

One time, for instance, after seeing a general drop in morale, we had a meeting where people on the team could freely discuss what they were feeling, professional and personal, without fear of judgment. The resulting discussion resulted in the addition of flexible working hours for team members that were struggling with work-life balance, which was a big help to those suffering from mental health issues. The impact was dramatic: in addition to the ability of those people to cope better with their mental health, it helped to keep the team together and make them happier.

Alexander Henschel, Digital Marketing Manager, Boulevard

Launch Mental Health Campaigns

My organization has worked hard to support mental health awareness and help everyone feel comfortable talking about their feelings.

Mental health is considered as important as physical health. To create a caring workplace, my company encourages people to share their mental health concerns without fear.

“Mental Health Matters” campaign was introduced by my organization recently. In this program, we attended workshops to learn about mental health issues and the support available. Mental health experts were invited to share their knowledge and help everyone understand how to recognize when they are struggling.

Another useful initiative was a confidential support system where we can find mental health resources like counseling services and support groups.

Additionally, we also have a peer support network, allowing us to talk to trained coworkers who can offer help and understanding.

We also celebrated the Mental Health Awareness Day. There were various activities to enjoy including guided meditation, stress management workshops, and sharing personal stories from employees who faced mental health challenges.

The event made us feel less alone and more connected to our coworkers. By doing these things, my company is trying to improve the mental health of each individual.

Dr. Carlos Todd, Mental Health Counselor, Mastering Anger

Share Stories and Coping Mechanisms

Since 2013, we’ve been sharing people’s stories and experiences of dealing with mental health. In particular, we set out to support young people who self-harm to find healthy—and especially creative—coping mechanisms. What’s interesting is that the coping mechanisms that helped people with self-harm helped folks dealing with all sorts of different mental health situations. We’ve shared these ideas on our website.

One particularly cool feature on the site is the “Things to Try” page, where you can choose how you’re feeling from a drop-down menu, and it’ll give you suggestions of things that might help, based on what’s helped others in the past.

We’ve then taken this one step further by bringing these ideas into schools, colleges, and universities in the form of creative workshops. We introduce different coping mechanisms each week and give young people the chance to try them for themselves. We’ve then taken those workshops a step further and developed training for staff and parents/caregivers on how to support a young person who’s struggling based on the feedback of the students we work with.

We help fund all this work by selling merchandise with a message. We’re creating high-quality garments that people would want to wear that have mental health messages on them, including “Self-Love is Punk Rock” on a T-shirt and “I’m Glad You Exist” on a long sleeve—where the message is readable when someone opens their arms to hug you.

Si Martin, Founder, Heads Above The Waves

About Purpose-driven Insights

Welcome to Store with a Heart’s HeartBeat’s blog series, Purpose-Driven Insights, which unites experts and changemakers to discuss what it really means to make a difference. This series offers readers practical advice and novel viewpoints by showcasing insights from leaders in charity, sustainability, mental health, social entrepreneurship, and other fields through insightful round-ups and interviews.

Purpose-Driven Insights offers the insight and motivation required to transform your goals into significant action, whether your goal is to lead with compassion, improve your community, or support a cause that is dear to your heart. Come explore organizational strategies, individual experiences, expert insights, and industry practices that enable us all to make a positive impact on a more compassionate and interconnected society.

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Purpose-driven Insights: Prioritizing Workplace Mental Wellness