Why Mental Health Must Be a Top Priority in the Workplace

The U.S. Surgeon General has issued a powerful message: mental health in the workplace is not optional—it’s essential. Citing research from the American Psychological Association (APA), the new guidance highlights how demanding work conditions—like long hours, limited autonomy, and low wages—are not only contributing to burnout and dissatisfaction but are also at the root of a broader national mental health crisis.

With over 160 million Americans in the workforce and full-time employees spending nearly half their waking hours on the job, the workplace has become a central influence on our overall well-being. The COVID-19 pandemic blurred the lines between work and home, increasing stress and accelerating burnout across industries. According to APA’s 2022 Work and Well-being Survey, nearly 40% of employees say their job negatively impacts their mental health.

That’s why putting mental health at the center of workplace policies is more urgent than ever. The Surgeon General’s Framework for Mental Health and Well-Being in the Workplace calls on employers to rethink how they protect employees, foster connection, and create environments where people feel valued and supported—both professionally and personally.

The framework emphasizes five key areas:

• Protection from harm

• Connection and community

• Work-life harmony

• Mattering at work

• Opportunity for growth

Practical steps include increasing autonomy and flexibility, training managers to support employee well-being, offering competitive pay, ensuring mental health benefits are covered by insurance, and limiting after-hours communication.

While implementing these changes requires time and investment, the cost of not prioritizing mental health is far higher. High stress levels lead to absenteeism, reduced engagement, and high turnover—impacting both people and productivity. In fact, APA research estimates that job stress costs U.S. businesses up to $187 billion annually, with most of those losses tied to decreased performance.

As Dr. Arthur C. Evans Jr., APA’s CEO, explains:

“We spend an average of 90,000 hours of our lives at work. Employers have a responsibility to ensure those hours are spent in environments that support mental health. Doing so isn’t just the right thing for employees—it’s a smart move for business.”

Now more than ever, leaders have the opportunity—and responsibility—to create workplaces where mental health is supported, and people can truly thrive.

source: American Psychological Association website