Creating a Workplace Culture that Promotes Mental Health

Among Americans, two-thirds or more are putting in more than 40 hours a week on the job. This tells us two things: Many of us are overworked. And the culture in the workplace — where we spend so much of our time — plays a critical role in our mental health.

Nearly all workplace leaders say they want to create a culture that promotes the mental health of their employees. But many don’t know where to start.

One productive route is to follow the not-so-obvious strategy of leading by sharing vulnerable stories. In a recent discussion at the One Mind at Work Global Forum, Harvey Schwartz — former President and COO of Goldman Sachs — told me about the power these experiences can have in breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health challenges.

“When I realized that people had a positive response to me sharing about mental illness in my family, and that they were identifying with those experiences, I began to recognize the importance and impact”, Harvey said. “You understand how powerful it is to have people mobilizing this discussion and fighting back against what really amounts to prejudice.”

I must admit that in my own career, it took me a long time to follow this example.

For 20 years, I concealed my diagnosis of Anxiety Disorder from my employer. As my responsibilities grew, I hid the tough days, and was successful in advancing into a leadership position. Unfortunately, I now know that I failed many people by being silent.

We are all raised with our own unique view of the world. Mine was that we should always avoid showing weakness, and put our best face forward in public. I wasn’t supposed to have a mental health struggle. But if I did, I certainly should never talk about it.

This approach set back my own challenge with mental health issues. And it hurt the people that worked for me when I became an organizational leader.

There is no way people on the front lines of a company will be comfortable feeling vulnerable when leaders act like they’re invincible. The pretense of perfection is of no value to struggling souls.

Not long ago, when speaking to a group of CEOs, I asked how many had experienced a mental health struggle — either personally or within their immediate family or circle of close friends. Every hand shot up. During a break, one executive came up to me and said: “isn’t it interesting that we all have these experiences, but when we’re going through them, it feels so lonely.”

Real, vulnerable people make better, healthier leaders. They use their example to open organizations up and to create supportive and listening environments. They create workplace cultures that value and prioritize mental health, end stigma, and help people build resilience through resources and programs.

Mental health and wellbeing cannot be just another initiative off to the side. Companies will see results when they take an integrated approach to mental health — starting with leaders willing to share their own experiences. Not only does this create a healthy work environment, it can save lives.