Mental Health in the Workplace: A Leadership Imperative
May is Mental Health Awareness month, but as the month concludes, the emphasis on employee mental health must continue. Mental illness costs the U.S. economy an estimated $280 billion annually—a staggering figure that underscores the urgency for action. Business leaders are uniquely positioned to drive change within their organizations by fostering supportive environments where mental health is openly addressed and actively supported.
“Many people experiencing mental health issues suffer from what we call ‘the only person’ stigma, meaning they feel alone in their struggles,” explains Dr. Christy Miller, Chief Nursing Officer at St. Elizabeth Healthcare. “Hearing their leaders say it’s okay to seek help can encourage them to open up about their issues.”
As a leader in a high-stress field, Dr. Miller emphasizes that creating a culture of support starts at the top. “Our associates bring their whole selves to work—challenges and all,” she says. “It’s our responsibility to create an environment where they feel seen, heard, and supported.”
One strategy she recommends? Just listen.
“In healthcare, we operate in emotionally charged settings where staff might experience grief or trauma daily,” Dr. Miller shares. “When a team member comes to me, I stop what I’m doing and listen—truly listen. They need to know there is nowhere else I’d rather be when they need to talk.”
Since assuming her role three years ago, Dr. Miller has implemented the Code Lavender initiative, a crisis support response first pioneered at the Cleveland Clinic. This system allows individuals or entire units to request immediate emotional support following traumatic events, such as the loss of a patient. A trained team, typically including a chaplain or trained peer support leader, responds to provide comfort, counseling, and referrals.
“It’s peer support that meets people where they are, and it makes a difference right away,” she says.
St. Elizabeth has also integrated resilience training into its regular offerings, helping employees navigate setbacks, recognize growth, and reframe mistakes as learning opportunities.
“In healthcare, acknowledging and learning from mistakes is essential, but it's scary,” Dr. Miller says. “Resilience training gives associates the mindset and tools to grow from difficult experiences without being paralyzed by fear.”
Still, it’s not enough to simply offer resources. Access matters.
“An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a great foundation, but we also embed resources directly into our facilities,” says Dr. Miller. “We want to make it as easy as possible for our associates to get the support they need.”
Beyond being the right thing to do, supporting employee mental health makes sound business sense. Research shows a strong ROI for EAP services, ranging from $3 to $16 returned for every dollar invested, through improved productivity, better retention, reduced absenteeism, and lower healthcare costs (Northstar EAP ROI Study).
Organizations of all sizes can benefit from mental health strategies that enhance well-being and performance. NKY Works supports companies in developing customized wellness solutions as a proven strategy for workforce retention.
If your business is facing workforce challenges, NKY Works can help. Contact us at 859.657.WRKS (9757) or NKYWorks@NKADD.org for expert guidance and access to regional mental health and wellness resources.