5 Ways Leaders Can Support Mental Health at Work

Move from awareness to action this Mental Health Awareness Month.

Each May, Mental Health Awareness Month invites organizations to reflect on how they support the well-being of their teams. With nearly one in five U.S. adults living with a mental health condition, and more than half of them not receiving treatment (Mental Health America, 2023), it’s clear that mental health support and destigmatization should be top priority for employers looking to retain and engage their employees. Managers are in a unique position to create environments where mental health matters are respected and supported, rather than shunned and ignored.

At Luminal Development, we believe leadership is all about supporting the whole person, and it doesn’t have to be incredibly complicated! Here are six practical ways company managers and leadership can move beyond awareness and foster a workplace that truly supports mental well-being.

1. Lead by example

If you routinely skip breaks, send late-night emails, or delay personal time off, your team may internalize this as the expectation, even if you assure them that’s not the case. Actions speak louder than words, always.

Instead, model sustainable work habits by setting boundaries, taking meaningful time off, and sharing your own strategies for self-care when things get tough. Consider starting team meetings with check-ins that normalize unplugging and well-being.

2. Build psychological safety

Formally defined as a shared belief held by team members that it is safe to take interpersonal risk, psychological safety is at the heart of mental health support. While it takes time to build, it’s a powerful component of every effective team.

To support this initiative, invest in training that empowers managers and staff to talk about mental health with confidence and compassion. Creating a shared language and understanding around psychological safety equips your team to reduce stigma and support one another more effectively.

3. Mental health through mentorship

Almost 75% of Fortune 500 companies have mentorship programs in place to support the growth and development of more junior staff members, and it makes sense: formal mentorship fosters connection and builds belonging. This is especially critical for early-career professionals and underrepresented groups. Strong mentorship relationships can lead to higher engagement, improved retention and greater promotion rates, making them a smart investment in both people and performance.

Start small by pairing up with another team at your company and discussing how your more senior members may be able to lean in to mentor newer folks. More often than not, staff members love having the opportunity to support one another and learn together.

4. Cultivate everyday connection

Loneliness at work - especially in hybrid or remote models - can be a silent stressor which may lead to burnout, stress, or depression. Gallup (long known as the workplace engagement experts) attest that “having a best friend at work” is one of the key drivers of overall satisfaction.

While it’s more challenging to cultivate belonging in a virtual environment, it’s by no means impossible! Small rituals like authentic check-ins, cross-team introductions and non-work conversations can deepen social bonds and support mental health.

We wrote more about creating a connected remote workforce here.

5. Offer meaningful support (or get in the room with the people who can!)

Mental health benefits are a non-negotiable way to show your employees that you care. From EAPs and therapy stipends to mental health first aid training and PTO for self-care, your offerings should signal that well-being isn’t an afterthought; it’s part of how you do business.

If you’re not in a position to be “the decider” about these tasks, then it’s time to connect with your boss (or your boss’s boss) to have these conversations. Remember, your team looks to you to be the model and to advocate for them – this is how you begin to do that!

Ready to support employees to find the light at the end of the tunnel?

Luminal Development partners with mission-driven organizations to elevate their leadership and create resilient, people-first cultures. If your team is ready to move from intention to implementation, let’s connect.