Mental Health in the Workplace

Body, Mind, & Spirit / July 24, 2025

Hearing the hearts of those silently struggling requires compassion, empathy, and patience. We live in a fast-paced, hustle-driven world where everyone is striving to climb the ladder of success. In the process, we often neglect essential areas of our lives — leading to a significant impact on our mental health. The workplace can feel competitive, harsh, and, at times, like an emotional minefield. It’s ironic that the place where we spend most of our waking hours—away from our families and in pursuit of a better future for them — can become a place we dread or avoid altogether.

We start out a new job with hopes of not only monetary benefit but one that produces positive friendships with our co-workers, development in our skills to higher levels, and exceeding expectations of ourselves and our employers. However, we often find ourselves weeks, months, or even years in burnout, avoidance, and emotional fatigue – far from the thriving, fulfilling environment we envisioned.  

Unrealistic workloads, lack of support, and unaddressed mental health challenges can slowly erode our motivation and joy. In turn, this negatively impacts the work environment — leading to lower morale, increased absenteeism, and strained team dynamics. When individuals feel overwhelmed and unsupported, the ripple effect touches everyone around them. Productivity suffers, communication breaks down, and a once-promising workplace culture can quickly become toxic. Prioritizing mental health in the workplace isn’t just about individual well-being—it’s about building healthier, more resilient teams and sustainable success for the entire organization.

Why Mental Health Awareness Matters in the Workplace

• Stronger Culture & Environment

  When mental health is openly addressed, it helps destigmatize personal struggles and fosters a workplace culture rooted in empathy, openness, and support.

• Improved Retention

  Prioritizing mental well-being leads to lower turnover rates. It strengthens loyalty between employees and leadership and builds a foundation of trust across teams.

• Increased Attendance & Presence

  Supporting mental health reduces both absenteeism and presenteeism. Offering designated mental health days can decrease unplanned call-outs, as mental health challenges are a leading cause of employee sick leave.

• Higher Productivity

  Employees who feel psychologically safe and supported are more engaged, focused, and motivated—leading to increased efficiency and better overall performance.

How to Set Your Employees Up for Success

• Offer Mental Health Resources

  Provide access to Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), counseling services, and other mental health supports your team can use confidentially and easily.

• Invest in Training

  Equip HR teams, managers, and staff with mental health training to recognize signs of distress, respond appropriately, and foster a supportive environment.

• Normalize Mental Health Conversations

  Encourage open dialogue about mental well-being and make it acceptable to take mental health days—just like sick days.

• Support Work-Life Balance

  Create and enforce policies that promote healthy boundaries, flexibility, and psychological safety, so employees can thrive both personally and professionally.

When companies prioritize mental health, everyone benefits—not just individuals, but teams and the organization as a whole. A healthy workplace begins with awareness, but real transformation happens when that awareness is followed by intentional action. By fostering a culture of compassion, support, and balance, employers create an environment where people feel valued, seen, and empowered to do their best work. Mental health isn’t a side issue—it’s a foundation for sustainable success.

About the Author: Jennifer Goodson, MA, LMHC, CAGCS is a licensed mental health counselor based in Winter Haven, Florida. She is also a Professor of Psychology at Warner University in Lake Wales and a transformational speaker committed to promoting emotional and mental well-being. Jennifer holds a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She provides specialized training on Mental Health Awareness, Work-Life Balance, and Trauma-Informed Care for workplace and faith-based organizations. Her work empowers leaders and teams to foster healthier, more supportive environments. To learn more, visit www.pathwaycounselingservice.com.