Mental health is the key to workplace success

Workplace challenges and personal struggles often go hand in hand. Worries about weight management, burnout, and high blood pressure come with us to the office — as do related mental health difficulties like insomnia, anxiety, and depression.

This can create a vicious cycle where physical and mental challenges feed off each other, making it harder to focus, perform well, and maintain balance both at work and in life. Imagine a dedicated employee, overwhelmed by anxiety, who stops exercising. This impacts their physical and mental health, and likely also their confidence and performance at work. The ripple effects can result in lower morale, reduced productivity, and heightened burnout.

Mental health in the workplace has been a hot topic, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. Many companies are now aware of the hidden costs of ignoring mental health in the workplace and have updated their policies to better support employee mental health in recent years. But there’s a big difference between what’s on paper and how much employees are helped. 

With World Mental Health Day approaching, it’s time to bridge that gap and take real steps toward a healthier workplace. Here are some tips for both employers and employees.

Tips for employers: Creating a truly supportive workplace

1. Focus on quality, not quantity

Break free from outdated productivity metrics by shifting the focus from hours logged to quality of work. Measuring success by time spent can increase stress and burnout, while setting clear, achievable goals helps employees focus without the pressure of constant monitoring. Micromanaging and rigid tracking undermine both mental health and results, whereas well-structured goals promote trust and reduce anxiety for better work and well-being.

2. Rethink workplace tools that cause anxiety

Tech tools like keystroke logging and screen monitoring are becoming more common in today’s distributed workforces, but these surveillance tools often do more harm than good. They can create distrust and anxiety while eroding morale, making employees feel constantly watched and keeping them from producing their best work. A better approach is to build a culture of trust and accountability, where employees are measured by their outcomes, not keystrokes. 

3. Make it OK to talk about mental health

A healthy workplace is one where employees feel safe discussing their mental health without fear of stigma. Training to help managers spot and address mental health struggles and active encouragement to take advantage of mental health resources sends a clear message: discussing mental health is encouraged, and seeking help is normal.

4. Provide a full range of mental health resources

Offering access to mental health resources must go beyond superficial gestures. Real support means providing effective tools employees can use in real life, including a range of resources, from counseling and therapy to tools for managing subclinical issues like stress and sleep difficulties. By offering flexible, accessible options, you empower employees to address their mental health in ways that fit their unique needs.

5. Enable employees to actually use mental health benefits

Having mental health policies on paper is a great start, but if employees don’t feel they can use them, the effort is wasted. Many hesitate to take time off or seek support due to fear of judgment or workload pressure. Employers must actively create an environment where using these resources is both accepted and encouraged — including having backup plans in place so struggling employees can focus on their well-being without guilt. 

Tips for employees: Prioritizing your mental health

1. Redefine how you measure workplace success

Instead of measuring your value by hours worked or tasks checked off, focus on the quality of your work. Set clear, realistic goals that push you to excel in the most important areas. This shift helps prevent burnout and keeps you motivated. You can also work with your manager to set performance metrics that emphasize the impact of your work, not just the quantity. By focusing on outcomes, you’ll feel more fulfilled and consistently deliver high-quality results.

2. Seek support sooner rather than later

Mental health challenges are often ignored until they become serious problems. Recognizing early signs like persistent stress, anxiety, or fatigue is key to preventing escalation. For example, if you start having trouble sleeping, don’t wait for it to turn into insomnia — use a sleep or anxiety-related tool to adjust your routine. By tackling early signs, you protect your well-being and avoid burnout.

3. Take advantage of mental health policies and benefits

Mental health days, flexible work policies, and vacation days exist to keep you balanced and healthy. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you need to push through burnout, that taking time off shows a lack of commitment, or that using a mental health tool makes you seem weak. Getting mental health support or taking time off is your right, not a special favor. By prioritizing your well-being, you’ll be better equipped to do meaningful work.

4. Plan ahead to take time off when you need to

Many employees avoid using mental health benefits because they worry their absence will leave too much work behind. In fast-paced workplaces, this can feel true, but planning makes taking time off smoother for everyone. Identify who can cover your tasks or what can be deferred while you're away, and discuss your plans with your manager to create a clear strategy. That will help remove the guilt or hesitation that often comes with using these benefits.

5. Prioritize life outside of work

It’s easy to get trapped in the workplace grind, feeling pressure to work harder and stand out. Yet equating success with how much we produce or earn leads to burnout and a lack of fulfillment. Don’t fall into the trap of always competing to do more than others, perpetuating a race to the bottom where everyone is stressed and exhausted. Instead, give hobbies, relationships, and self-care equal priority and cultivate a fulfilling life outside of work, too.

Putting mental health first

This year’s World Mental Health Day theme is Mental Health at Work for good reason. The truth is, when we put mental health first, everyone wins — not just the employees who feel better, but the company that performs better too. Prioritizing well-being leads to happier, healthier, and ultimately more productive teams. Now is the time to build a workplace culture where mental health is at the forefront, driving not just individual success but organizational growth as well.