Mental Health in the New Workplace: A Culture Shift Toward Transparency and Empathy

ABSTRACT

McHugh et al discuss mental health in the new workplace. There has been an increasing recognition of the impact of mental health in the workplace. From the pervasive problems of stress and burnout to the movement toward creating cultures of authenticity and belonging, to the examination of the costs of absenteeism and presenteeism, employee mental health has emerged as a critical component in building and retaining a productive and engaged workforce. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought mental health into even sharper focus. Anxieties about health and safety, social isolation, stress related to job loss and a lack of child care have contributed to an alarming increase in mental health distress and diagnosable mental health conditions.