Morra Aarons-Mele sees a disconnect between mental health efforts and employee well-being. Despite companies investing in mental health initiatives, many employees do not feel a corresponding improvement in well-being, as workplace stress continues to harm physical and emotional health. She cites that there is a need for tailored approaches to mental health. Mental health strategies must be tailored to specific roles, with greater job flexibility being key to reducing stress and anxiety.

Managers and leaders should actively champion mental health initiatives within teams, according to her article, as internal leadership is more effective than relying solely on external experts. Personally, I think this is probably correct but for many organizations I feel it’s just not going to happen. Aside from the fact that people are very busy and can’t sustain their champion efforts, few feel qualified to do so. So probably external experts might still be needed. I’m not sure.

In addressing generational and gender biases in mental health, Morra says in her HBR article, linked below , that support for mental health should include all generations, and addressing the stigma faced by men in discussing mental health can help break gender biases.

A lasting improvement in mental health requires a long-term cultural commitment, focusing on interpersonal relationships rather than relying solely on technology. And importantly, the article explains to us that leaders need to actively advocate for mental health, demonstrating personal practices and fostering a cultural shift that recognizes the importance of well-being to business success.

Practical Steps for Leaders at All Levels

Morra tells us that simple, human-centered actions and sharing personal mental health stories can significantly improve workplace mental well-being. Mental health challenges do not prevent professional success, and employees can thrive when their mental health needs are acknowledged and supported.

So what I take from this is that improving workplace mental health requires personalized strategies, leadership engagement, addressing biases, and a long-term cultural commitment driven by internal champions. Personally, even though the multidisciplinary workplace experts I work with have deep knowledge on designing supportive workplace environments, I still see some barriers in getting a culture going where people open up and share about this topic. What has been your experience?

This World Mental Health Day we are reminded of the importance of people’s wellbeing, as the World Health Organization and the United Nations urge workplaces to prioritize mental health, M Moser is dedicated to creating human-centric environments that put people’s well-being first. We believe that creating spaces where mental health thrives is key to building successful, supportive workplaces. How? Reach out and let’s discuss how we can create a healthier, more supportive environment for your team.

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