It’s OK Not To Be OK: Addressing Workplace Mental Health

When it comes to promoting better mental health in the workplace, leadership starts at the top. The single biggest influencer in the success of a company’s mental health program is the level of engagement from the CEO and other top executives. Without that commitment, these programs lose momentum, stigma persists, and company cultures remain indifferent to the mental health struggles of employees. Many CEOs appear confident the needed support is being provided. But they need to pay more attention to the perceptions among workers. According to a survey by Ginger, 96% of CEOs think their companies are doing enough for employee mental health, but only 69% of employees agree – a 27-point gap in perception. What’s behind this perception gap? McKinsey found that 75% of employees believe stigma around mental health still exists in their workplaces. But companies ranked reducing stigma dead last among 11 mental health priorities employers are working to address.