Supporting Mental Health in the Workplace

by Tawnya Mayo

Everyone experiences stress, and we all know that high stress is bad for our physical and mental health. It is no surprise that 80% of employees consider employer benefits “to be extremely crucial” when searching for a job. Employees are actively seeking mental health support in their benefits, and companies are falling short, according to statistics. In 2021, the American Psychological Organization found “65% of US workers characterized work as being a very significant or somewhat significant source of stress,”¹ and another study attributes 120,000 deaths in the US each year to workplace stress.²

Stress and poor mental health also negatively affects employees at work, showing up in lowered job performance, less productivity, worsened engagement and communication, and even lowered physical capability and daily functioning. As we finish up Stress Awareness Month in April and begin Mental Health Awareness Month in May, now is a good time to explore what companies can do to help their employees. 

There are 3 general categories of ways a workplace can support the mental health of their employees and reduce stress. One is small perks and one-time rewards or events. Another is ongoing or year-round stress management resources. The last is a healthy workplace culture.

When it comes to small perks and one-time rewards, the sky’s the limit for ideas. At Smith Johnson, we periodically take an afternoon off for a movie, or go out to lunch as an office. In the office, we like playing darts, where the target is a representation of cash and gift cards. Try treating your employees to one of the following:

• Company-wide paid day off
• Cater a healthy lunch
• Invite employees to a yoga class
• Bring in plants, a water feature, or natural daylight lamp to bring a little nature into the office
• Give away gratitude journals
• Bring in a chair massage therapist

Companies can help employees manage stress all year long with benefits such as:

• Employee Assistance Programs
• Stress management and resilience training
• Onsite mental health counselors
• Paid time off and leave benefits

While these perks and benefits are nice and helpful, they often treat symptoms instead of a cause. What employees see as stressors at work are aspects of workplace culture, such as unrealistic expectations, lack of transparency and communication, and general lack of support and recognition. Here are some things to consider when trying to improve workplace morale and reduce stress:

• Flexibility – being able to schedule work to fit with other life responsibilities greatly reduces stress. For some, it means the ability to spend more time with family, the ability to fill household responsibilities, or the ability to travel while continuing to work.
• Boundaries – employees need to know that their boundaries will be respected. It means being able to leave work at the end of the day without responding to emails or phone calls. 
• Recognition – everyone has the need to be seen and heard. At work, being recognized for one’s hard work and contributions decreases stress and increases a sense of belonging. Recognition can be anything from a formal platform to a simple handwritten note.
• Support for caregiving – the majority of the workforce is middle aged, meaning the majority will have children or elders that need caring for. Knowing an employer will support one’s caregiving responsibilities reduces stress. Employers can go a step further by offering onsite daycare or childcare allowances.

Supporting employee mental health isn’t just a box to check—it’s a commitment to creating a workplace where people can thrive. Employees who can balance life and work get more done. Burned-out people don’t produce great work, energized people do. While no perk, policy, or wellness program alone can eliminate stress, a thoughtful, well-rounded approach can make a real difference. As we move from Stress Awareness Month into Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s the perfect time to assess what your company is doing—and what more can be done—to build a culture of care, support, and well-being. A healthy team is a strong team.

** Information taken from Kara Williams, How Your Organization Can Participate in Stress Awareness Month & Reduce Employee Stress All Year Long, WebMD, April 1, 2025.

¹ American Psychological Organization. (October 2021). Stress in America: Stress and decision-making during the pandemic.

² Goh, J., Pfeffer, J., & Zenios, S. A. (2015). The relationship between workplace stressors and mortality and health costs in the United States. Management Science, 62(2), 608-628.