Creating a Work Culture that Values Mental Health and Wellbeing

The unprecedented physical, emotional and financial disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic brought mental health awareness to the forefront, not only at home, but also at work.

“Covid-19 was when the boundaries between work and home began to blur,” said Kristie Steward, Chief Human Resource Officer at Steward Partners. “We came to realize how important work was in terms of the resources they provided us during the pandemic.”

Steward co-hosted a panel, “Creating a Culture that Values Mental Health and Wellbeing,” at FSI OneVoice 2024 with Leigh McCluskey, SVP, Talent Acquisition, at Osaic. Their discussion highlighted the ways in which work and wellbeing are intertwined.

This connection between our jobs and our mental health makes it imperative that those in company leadership positions prioritize mental wellbeing as part of the overall workplace culture.

Why Mental Wellbeing Matters in the Workplace

Steward noted that our jobs are not just a means for us to earn a living. They are also a part of our identity. Though she admitted to not being a fan of the question, she knows that whenever we meet someone new in a social situation, one of the first things people ask: What do you do?

“You spend more time at work than you do with any other activity, and more time with colleagues than anyone else in your life,” she said. “Work has a profound impact on our wellbeing and on all aspects of our mental health.”

Steward and McCluskey laid out six dimensions of mental health and wellbeing, which cut across both work and home:

• Purpose: Feeling valued at your company and having meaningful tasks that help with personal growth.
• Belonging: Experiencing inclusion and feeling aligned with the organization’s values.
• Physical: Engaging in activities that support physical health, including daily exercise, eating nutritious meals and getting enough sleep each night.
• Mental: This includes promoting a work-life balance that allows people to detach themselves from their jobs and giving them the opportunity to practice mindfulness to support emotional and psychological wellbeing.
• Interpersonal: It’s important to cultivate supportive relationships with others both inside and outside the workplace.
• Financial: Having financial and job security and being able to invest for future needs.

When the audience was asked what words came to mind when thinking about a culture of wellness in a workplace, “inclusiveness” was one of the answers. Steward agreed.

“There should be an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued,” Steward said. “There are tons of research out there showing that the sense of belonging has a very positive impact on mental and physical health.”

Investing in Your Employees’ Wellbeing

Steward and McCluskey pointed to data from the U.S. Surgeon General’s Office showing just how significant mental health is to the workplace, and how ignoring it can negatively affect a company’s bottom line:

• 76% of workers reported at least one symptom of a mental health condition, which represents a significant increase from two years ago.
• 84% stated that their workplace contributed to at least one mental health challenge.
• 81% said they would seek out a workplace that supports mental health when they make their next job move.

Creating a culture that values mental health and wellbeing starts at the top, the panelists said. That means leaders have a responsibility to promote this type of an environment through empathy and by removing the stigma of addressing issues that workers may face with mental health.

However, Steward emphasized that those in leadership positions should also make sure that they are taking care of their own mental health.

“We talk about you being a role model, but you have to look out for yourself first,” she said. “You have to make sure you have the building blocks in place to make yourself well and ensure your resiliency. You are no good to a single person unless you can’t do something for you first.”

The issues that complicate a person’s wellbeing can pile up, McCluskey noted, as workers face challenges with their career aspirations, pressures at home and just going through the cycles of life. But creating a culture that prioritizes mental health in the workplace can start with one simple step.

“It’s about allowing your employees to be vulnerable and to have a safe space and safe person to talk to about their issues,” she said.