Mental health in 2025: What every leader should know
Truth time: Leading a team isn’t always easy. And when it comes to mental health, it can feel even more overwhelming. But here’s the thing – you’re not alone in this, and you don’t have to have all the answers.
In 2025, leadership isn’t just about hitting goals or managing tasks – it’s about being there for your team, creating a workplace where people feel safe, and helping them show up as their best selves.
We know it’s not easy, but it’s also one of the most meaningful parts of being a leader.
The best part? You’ve already taken the first step by reading this. Let’s walk through how you can support your team in 2025:
1. Together, we can create psychological safety
People do their best work when they feel safe to be themselves. Psychological safety is about fostering trust and openness on your team, and it starts with you.
- How to start: Try being vulnerable with your team. Share your own challenges and encourage open, honest conversations. Be curious about your team’s well-being.
2. You have the power to prevent burnout
Burnout is real, but you can help your team find balance. Create a space where people feel it’s okay to step back and recharge.
- How to start: Set the tone by modeling healthy boundaries. Take breaks, don’t send emails outside of work hours, and let your team know it’s good to unplug when they aren’t working.
3. You can be a mental health ally
Your team looks to you for guidance, but you don’t need to have all the answers. Showing that you are there to support them can make a huge difference.
- How to start: Share resources or mental health workshops. Check in regularly with your team and ask how you can help. Sometimes, just listening is enough.
4. You don’t have to do this alone
Supporting mental health can feel like a big responsibility, but you don’t have to tackle it by yourself. With the right tools and training, you’ll feel more confident navigating these conversations and challenges.
- How to start: Consider attending our Managing Mental Health in the Workplace workshop. It’s designed to give you practical strategies to create a supportive, thriving workplace. It’s also part of our Leadership and Management Certificate Programs (just saying…).
Managing Mental Health in the Workplace
Half-Day Virtual Workshop (10 am – 1 pm CT): February 27; June 24
This workshop provides a roadmap to help managers participate in conversations with employees who may require support when experiencing difficulties related to mental health. Participants will learn strategies for creating a more inclusive work environment that reduces stigma surrounding mental health.
Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace
One-Day Virtual Workshop (9 am – 4 pm CT): February 25; June 19
Given that the average person spends 60 percent of their time at work, our organizations play a pivotal role in how psychologically safe we feel. A workplace can either protect our psychological health or diminish it. This workshop provides an overview of the characteristics of a psychologically safe workplace and the roles of both the employee and employer in promoting psychological safety.
Free Webinar: Culture Transformation – Your Path to a Better Workplace
Live Webinar and Q&A (1 pm – 1:45 pm CT): February 4
Cultural transformation is a key component of leadership and organizational success in 2025. Join us for this free webinar to learn when cultural transformation is necessary, along with the three phases of successful change. You’ll also get to ask our resident specialist those burning culture questions you have.
What you’ll learn:
- What workplace culture actually means
- The three signs of an unhealthy workplace
- Pitfalls that cause culture change initiatives to fail
- A roadmap for leading a cultural transformation
Featured Resource
How to Talk to Your Staff About Mental Health
Talking about mental health is hard, and discussing it with your team can feel even harder. Use our free resource to ensure your conversations are supportive, empathetic, and impactful. You can do hard things – we just want to help you out along the way.
Blog
Why Vulnerability Makes a Better Leader
Newsflash! Modern leaders don’t have to be perfect, energetic superheroes who never make mistakes. The best leaders model vulnerability, admit when they’re wrong, and encourage authenticity.
Read Wendy’s blog on the power of vulnerability and learn how it could transform the way your team works.
Podcast
Episode 35: The Hidden Costs of Neglecting Leadership Wellness
You can’t support your team’s wellness if you are neglecting your own. Listen to this episode and learn how taking time off may be one of the most productive things you can do as a leader.
Posted: January 23, 2025