as are their productivity and engagement at work. Employers are expanding their approach, moving beyond standalone mental health services to embrace more comprehensive, holistic wellbeing initiatives. This shift includes integrating mental health support with broader resources that address social determinants of health (SDOH), financial wellness, health coaching and work-life balance. In addition, there is an increasing demand for benefits integration that enables vendors to work together more efficiently to provide enhanced whole-person care. Taking a holistic approach not only improves mental wellbeing but also fosters a workplace culture where employees feel supported in every aspect of their lives. Increased training and support for managers Managers are at the front lines of workplace culture. They play an important role in supporting employees’ mental health and fostering an environment where people feel valued and heard. Research shows that managers account for 70% of the variance in employee engagement. Unfortunately, many managers today still feel unprepared to navigate mental health conversations, with 7 in 10 senior-level employees reporting they have not received training on how to discuss mental health with their teams. As awareness grows around the importance of workplace mental health, employers are investing in training programs to equip managers with the skills to recognize early signs of distress, hold supportive conversations and connect employees with available resources. That said, supporting mental health in the workplace isn’t just about what managers can do for their teams—it’s also about ensuring they receive the support they need to thrive. Many managers face high levels of stress and burnout, with 70% saying they would take a pay cut for a job that better supports their mental wellness. Employers that prioritize manager wellbeing by offering leadership training and tailored mental health and wellbeing resources can create a healthier work environment from the top down. Focus on increasing employee engagement with benefits Providing high-quality mental health and wellbeing benefits is essential, but ensuring employees use them is just as important. Many organizations continue to struggle with low engagement. In fact, data shows that more than two-thirds of employees report they don’t take full advantage of their benefits because they find them too time-consuming, confusing or difficult to access. This highlights a clear gap between the benefits employers provide and the awareness, accessibility and ease of use employees need. To bridge this gap, employers must take a proactive approach by eliminating barriers to care and making benefits easier to access. This includes partnering with vendors that offer convenient access and provide support through targeted communications that reinforce the value of available resources. By focusing on engagement strategies, employers can maximize the impact of their mental health and wellbeing benefits. Prioritizing workplace mental health in 2025 Prioritizing mental health isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s a critical business strategy that drives productivity, retention and overall organizational success.
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