In recent years, attention to mental health in the workplace has gained notable relevance. Traditionally, wellness within companies focused on physical aspects such as physical activity and healthy eating. However, it is increasingly recognized that mental health is an essential component of the comprehensive well-being of working people.
Throughout my career as a CEO, I have been able to observe how problems related to mental health, such as anxiety or burnout, affect not only individuals, but also the productivity of organizations. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression and anxiety have a global economic impact of approximately $1 trillion a year in lost productivity. Therefore, taking care of the mental health of employees is not only an ethical responsibility, but also a crucial strategy for organizational success.
In companies where mental well-being is prioritized, I have seen stress and burnout levels significantly reduced, while job satisfaction and talent retention increase. This is especially relevant in a work environment as competitive as the current one, where retaining the best professionals has become a necessity to stay afloat.
Mental health as an organizational priority
Today, many organizations have begun to implement concrete measures to promote a mentally healthier work environment. Initiatives such as mindfulness programs, psychological counseling, flexible work policies and days dedicated to mental rest are increasingly common.
However, in my experience, offering benefits is not enough. For these initiatives to have a real impact, it is essential to create a company culture that consistently values and supports the emotional well-being of employees. And this is where leaders play a key role.
The fundamental role of leaders
Leaders not only monitor team performance; They also profoundly influence how employees feel in their daily lives. As I have seen on several occasions, empathetic and attentive leadership can make the difference when a team member is going through a difficult situation. Leaders are often the first to notice changes in employee behavior, such as a sudden lack of motivation, exhaustion, or increased irritability. These signs can be indicative of deeper problems and it is essential that you know how to act in these moments.
An empathetic leader not only offers immediate solutions such as a pause or an open conversation, but also fosters an environment in which employees and employees feel safe and supported to express their difficulties without fear of being judged. This culture of support and listening is essential for employees to feel valued, which, in the long term, translates into more cohesive, creative and resilient teams.
The importance of training leaders
It is important to recognize that not all leaders are prepared to manage mental health issues in their teams. It is not an innate ability, but it is something that can be developed with proper training. In many companies, leaders need support to acquire the necessary tools that allow them to manage the emotional well-being of their teams effectively. Emotional intelligence, active listening and stress management are just some of the key competencies that can help leaders face these challenges.
Some of the most effective initiatives I’ve seen include leadership training programs focused on soft skills and creating an environment where talking openly about mental health is normalized. As leaders acquire these skills, they not only become more humane in their management, but they also contribute to creating an environment where employees can thrive.
Breaking the stigma
One of the biggest challenges we still face when addressing mental health at work is the stigma that persists around these topics. There is still the mistaken belief that talking about emotional problems is a sign of weakness, which leads many employees not to express their difficulties for fear of being judged.
In this sense, I have learned that leaders play an essential role in breaking this stigma. By opening honest dialogues about the importance of mental health, leaders not only promote a safer and more supportive environment, but also dismantle deep-seated biases. Encouraging these conversations can generate a multiplier effect throughout the organization, helping to normalize the idea that taking care of mental health is as necessary as taking care of physical health.
Taking care of mental health: a necessity for organizational success
In an increasingly demanding work environment, where stress and anxiety have become common problems, taking care of the mental health of employees is not just a good practice, it is a necessity. Leaders have the power to create an environment where people feel safe, heard and valued. Throughout my career, I have seen that, when emotional well-being is prioritized, the results do not take long to arrive: teams are more productive, creative and collaborative. Taking care of people’s mental health is not only the right thing to do, it is also the key to the long-term success of any organization.