Workplace stress is on the rise — 5 mitigation strategies leaders should consider

Sentari Minor

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As we observe Mental Health Awareness Month this May, it’s an important reminder for organizations to recognize the critical role mental well-being plays in the workplace. With reports showing that workplace stress remains at a concerning level, with 77% of workers having reported experiencing work-related stress in the last month, there’s a clear call to action: leadership must prioritize the mental well-being of their people.

Chronic stress, burnout and emotional exhaustion are on the rise across industries. But with intentional efforts, organizations can create cultures where employees not only survive — but thrive.

Here are five actionable strategies:

Commit to mental health and well-being

Culture starts at the top. Leaders set the tone, and when they openly support mental health initiatives, employees are more likely to feel safe and supported.

Start by cultivating psychological safety — a workplace environment where people feel seen, heard and valued. Engage your teams with meaningful check-ins by asking:

• “What’s one thing you need from me to be successful?”
• “What’s one thing I need to know about you that would improve our relationship?”

These small gestures build connection, trust and a culture of care.

Shift to a people-centric culture

Organizations that put people first understand that healthy employees equal a healthy business. This means supporting team members both personally and professionally.

When companies invest in their people — through flexibility, development, recognition and care — employees are more satisfied in their roles and more likely to stay long-term. Nurture your team the way you aim to nurture your customers.

Foster better communication

Open and thoughtful communication is essential in reducing stigma and fostering trust. Employees need to know it’s OK to talk about mental health, and that their concerns won’t fall on deaf ears.

Try integrating these practices:

• Host monthly town halls with a dedicated wellness segment.
• Share leadership video messages offering self-care insights.
• Highlight mental health resources and articles on internal channels.
• Regularly listen and gather feedback, then act on it.

Promote work-life balance

The line between work and life continues to blur — making boundaries more important than ever. Leadership teams can set an example by actively encouraging time for rest and recovery.

Ways to model balance:

• Sign off at 5 p.m.—and mean it.
• Avoid after-hours emails or pings.
• Use and celebrate PTO.
• Recognize when workloads need adjusting.

Remember: when leaders “walk the talk,” employees feel empowered to do the same.

Prioritize workplace wellness

Supporting mental health goes beyond policies — it requires real, visible action. That can include:

• Launching an employee-led wellness committee.
• Providing Employee Assistance Program benefits.
• Offering subscriptions to wellness apps like Headspace or Calm.
• Hosting workshops on topics like stress management or mindfulness.
• Encouraging “mental health days” or no-meeting Fridays.

These aren’t just perks — they’re signals that employee well-being is a company-wide priority.

With U.S. adults more stressed than ever, according to a survey from the American Psychological Association and worse, chronic stress increases the risk of developing mental health problems such as anxiety and depression — stress plays an unbelievably significant role in wellness.

By taking care of your people, you’re investing in the resilience, performance and future of your organization. Let this May be the start of lasting change, not just a calendar event.

It should be a chance for leaders to reflect, recommit and take meaningful steps toward building a workplace that supports the whole person.

Editor’s note: Editor’s note: Sentari Minor is chief of staff and vice president of investor relations for Scottsdale-based evolvedMD. Please send your comments to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.