Mind Over Malady: Reframing Mental Health

This is the first article of a three-part series in which Dr. E examines mental health in the workplace. Here she explores the difference between how we approach physical and mental health and why that approach must change.

I recently gave a “Red Zone” talk to a group of executives. Before I began, I asked the audience what came to mind when I said “physical health.”

The answers ranged from regular exercise to eating more fruits and vegetables, getting proper sleep, and watching sugar intake and cholesterol levels—preventative measures we can and should take to maintain a general sense of well-being.

Then I asked them what they thought of when I said “mental health.”

Interestingly, the answers sounded more like diagnoses: depression, anxiety, therapy, medication.

And yet we all have both a mind and a body.

Therefore, if you have a body, you have physical health. If you have a mind, you have mental health.

So why do we perceive them so differently?

Why do we feel like we have to wait for something to go “wrong” with mental health (like depression) in order to learn what to do "right" (like following proactive tips to improve mental health)?

I see mental wellness as a proactive and holistic approach to helping our bodies and minds function at peak performance. When we feel good as a whole person, we feel like we matter and can make a difference—both in our professional and personal lives. In short, it’s time to reframe our thinking around mental health and give it the

The transformative power of viewing health from a different perspective.

Addressing the stigma around mental health allows individuals to seek help without fear of judgment and fosters a supportive environment. By broadening our focus from isolated symptoms to holistic well-being, we encourage self-care that considers both the mental and physical aspects of our health. Shifting from a reactive to a proactive approach also emphasizes prevention and long-term wellness rather than merely responding to crises.

A good example of how one person achieved this wellness balance is Kenneth Cooper . He coined the term “aerobics,” forever changing how we view caring for our bodies. All by simply adding an “s” to the verb "aerobic" (meaning "to live in air or with oxygen"). Until that point in 1968, physical exercise was reserved for athletes. Now, it has become a multi-billion dollar industry and one of the number one things we can do to improve our overall sense of wellness.

Exploring mental health through the lens of wellness.

Early in my career, I worked as a physical therapist. I started noticing a common refrain in my work: those who embraced mental wellness in addition to their physical well-being tended to heal quickly. I decided to dig deeper and pursue my degree in psychology. Now, I’m on a mission to use what I've learned to change how we view mental health—bringing wellness out of the therapy office and into boardrooms across the country.

First, let’s agree on what I mean by “mental wellness.”

Mental wellness is a state of balance, an ability to bounce back, and a desire to flourish.

We want to see these qualities shine in ourselves and our employees. To achieve this, you must develop a proactive mindset. This means putting in preventative work, making time for guilt-free self-care, and learning how to build resilience.

Empowering employees to take the first step towards mental wellness.

How can leaders help create a shift in the workplace so that teams feel comfortable asking for and taking preventative measures? It starts with making them feel like they matter. That means supporting them in two key areas:

Reduction of stigma: Normalizing conversations and self-care practices.

Resilience-building: Equipping individuals with opportunities to navigate life's challenges.

These are two significant issues to tackle, but when we step back and think about what it truly means to feel healthy, both physically and mentally, we realize that mattering is the foundation for success.

When we feel like we matter, we are more willing to work toward taking care of our health because we know we are a valued contributor—that people are counting on us and that we need to bring our best—not just for others but for ourselves.

My challenge to you: Identify one hurdle you see in your workplace that needs to be addressed so that your team can break through the stigma of “mental health” and start focusing on what matters most—their well-being.

Be sure to check back next week as we explore some actionable items for creating a culture of support within your organization.