Mental Health at Work

Four Ways Employers Can Support Employee Mental Health

The global workforce faces significant challenges impacting mental health and well-being, particularly burnout, which affects not only individuals but also their communities. MCD’s Rural Behavioral Health Workforce Center (RBHWC) has engaged five cohorts in its Recovery Jobs for Beginners (RJB) workshop, aimed at helping individuals with lived experience of mental health or substance use disorders enter the behavioral health field.?

Catherine Sanders, senior program manager for RBHWC, notes that while participants are eager to work and appreciate flexibility—especially regarding childcare and mental health accommodations—many hesitate to voice their needs due to job security concerns.?

High turnover and burnout in the behavioral health sector threaten organizational stability. To address this, companies must prioritize wellness and work-life balance to improve retention and maintain institutional knowledge. However, the responsibility for mental health often falls solely on employees.?

How can employers better support employee mental health and retention? ?

1. Accessible Resources: Ensure all employees can easily find information about accommodations without needing to disclose personal issues. ?
2. Flexible Work Arrangements: Offer options like part-time, remote, or hybrid work to support those dealing with disabilities or mental health conditions.?
3. Work Culture & Boundaries: Foster a supportive environment with clear supervision and roles and encourage employees' right to disconnect after hours to enhance their work-life balance.?
4. Supportive Policies: Advocate for recovery-friendly workplace practices, revise hiring policies that discriminate based on criminal records, and enhance wellness benefits to create safer, stigma-free workspaces.?

Supporting mental health is essential for all employees and enhances overall organizational effectiveness. Recognizing the universal need for mental health resources will foster resilience in the workforce.?

Additional Resources

Official World Mental Health Day Campaign

WHO World Mental Health Day Resources

Get involved in Mental Illness Awareness Week October 6 - 12!

Check out RBHWC's Employer Resources and Tools