Mental Health Awareness Month: Let’s Talk About It

Let’s be honest—mental health used to be the elephant in the boardroom. It was something you dealt with in private, behind closed doors, preferably after hours. But today, mental health is the conversation. And May, Mental Health Awareness Month, is our collective invitation to stop whispering and start leading—with empathy, courage, and real action.

At Hyman Consulting, we’re not just checking the “awareness month” box. We’re challenging workplaces to go beyond wellness apps, “calm corners,” and stress ball giveaways. Because supporting mental health at work starts with people—not perks.

Mental health is about the conversations we have, the policies we shape, and the tone we set as leaders. It’s woven into our culture, or it’s not. And if it’s not, it’s time to change that.

Why This Moment Matters

We’re living in a time when emotional exhaustion is at an all-time high. Between the pressure to perform, personal life demands, and the blurred lines between work and home, many employees are navigating burnout silently. According to a 2023 survey by the American Psychological Association, more than 77% of workers reported experiencing work-related stress, and nearly 1 in 3 said it impacts their mental health significantly.

But here's the truth: when mental health is prioritized, everything improves—retention, morale, creativity, communication, and connection. Mental wellness is not just a human need—it’s a business strategy.

So What Can You Do? Start Small. Start Now.

We know not every leader is trained in mental health support. But you don’t need to be a therapist to create a workplace where people feel safe to speak up and seek help. You just need to be intentional.

This May, we challenge you—and your organization—to try one (or more) of these bold, people-first moves:

✔ Host a 10-Minute Mental Health HuddlePick one meeting this month and open with a check-in. Not on deadlines—on people. Ask, “What’s one thing you're carrying today that we can help support?” or “What’s helping you stay grounded this week?”

✔ Share Your Own StoryIf you’re a leader, your voice matters. Share a time when you experienced burnout, anxiety, or overwhelm—and what helped you navigate it. Vulnerability from the top gives everyone else permission to be real.

✔ Offer Flexibility—Without the Guilt TripIf someone needs a mental health day, shorter work hours, or a quieter week, let them have it without making them feel like a burden. Flexibility is support in action.

✔ Replace “How are you?” with “How are you really?”It’s a small shift, but it opens the door for more honest answers. Follow up. Listen without jumping in to fix. Just hold space.

What Mental Health Support Looks Like in Action

One of our clients, a regional healthcare group, launched monthly “wellness office hours” led by team leads trained in Mental Health First Aid. These weren’t therapy sessions—but they were safe, nonjudgmental spaces for staff to talk about what was really going on. Over time, absenteeism dropped and engagement scores rose.

Another client, a public school district, began integrating brief mindfulness practices at the beginning of team meetings. Just 2-3 minutes of breathing, journaling, or reflection helped educators feel more centered and prepared to lead their students.

The takeaway? Mental health support doesn’t have to be elaborate. It has to be consistent, intentional, and human.

It’s Time to Make Mental Health Everyone’s Business

Mental Health Awareness Month is more than a hashtag—it’s a call to action. As a leader, your influence shapes the culture around you. You can model empathy. You can normalize mental health days. You can make space for real conversations. And by doing so, you can build a workplace that doesn’t just function—it flourishes.

If you’re ready to go deeper, Hyman Consulting offers workshops, coaching, and QPR Suicide Prevention Training to help organizations lead with compassion and confidence. Let’s build spaces where well-being is woven into the way we work.

📩 Contact us at info@hymanconsulting.com

🌐 Learn more at www.hymanconsulting.com

📅 Book a consult: https://calendly.com/hymanconsulting

This May, let’s make the conversation real—and lasting. Your team deserves it. So do you.