In recent years, workplace mental health has shifted from a once-taboo subject to a central issue that powerful business leaders and politicians are actively seeking to address. This seismic shift in how we view mental health was made clear at the “Mental Health Summit” held last Tuesday in Washington, D.C. Co-hosted by the Business Roundtable and The Cigna Group, the event brought together prominent U.S. Senators, CEOs of multinational companies, and other thought leaders to discuss the critical role mental health plays in both the workplace and society at large. This summit underscored the growing recognition that mental health is not just a personal issue but one that has far-reaching economic and societal implications.
Corporate Responsibility: Workplace Mental Health in the Workplace
For years, mental health in the workplace was seen as a private matter, often swept under the rug, and ignored in discussions of productivity and company culture. However, the Business Roundtable, a Washington-based nonprofit that represents the interests of CEOs, has been at the forefront of changing this narrative. Back in May, the group launched an initiative aimed at promoting and supporting employee mental health. This initiative was driven by a stark realization: mental health challenges among employees lead to lost productivity, manifested through unplanned absences and disengagement.
The Business Roundtable’s focus on workplace mental health is not just a passing trend—it’s a recognition that mental health affects every aspect of a company’s bottom line. At the summit, several CEOs publicly acknowledged their responsibility in supporting their employees’ mental health. David Cordani, CEO of The Cigna Group, emphasized the crucial role that employers play in workplace mental health, stating, “Employers have an unmatched relationship of trust with their workers and are integral in supporting their access to care.”
Cordani’s remarks were a reflection of the evolving approach to employee well-being. The Cigna Group, based in Bloomfield, Connecticut, with nearly $200 billion in revenue in 2023, has made significant strides in integrating workplace mental health into their corporate structure. Under Cordani’s leadership, Cigna is not only focused on providing healthcare but also creating an environment where employees feel valued and supported, recognizing that mental health is just as important as physical health when it comes to overall well-being.
A Legislative Focus on Mental Health: Lawmakers Weigh In
While businesses are taking steps to address mental health in the workplace, lawmakers are also playing a critical role in shaping the national conversation. The Mental Health Summit in Washington, D.C., featured an engaging conversation between two U.S. Senators: Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Pete Ricketts (R-NE). These policymakers are deeply involved in the legislative efforts to address the mental health crisis in the U.S.
Senator Chris Murphy, co-author of the 2016 Mental Health Reform Act and the 2019 Mental Health Parity Compliance Act, discussed the social and economic factors contributing to mental health challenges. Murphy pointed to the historical closure of mental health clinics and the rise of individualism, which has created a culture of alienation and isolation. “The people who control your economy are no longer your neighbors,” Murphy remarked, pointing out the growing disconnect between people and the economic systems that affect their lives.
As a partial legislative solution to these challenges, Murphy has authored The National Strategy for Social Connection Act. This bill seeks to create an Office of Social Connection Policy that would advise the president on issues related to loneliness and isolation. The office would also work to develop strategies for improving social infrastructure and fostering greater community engagement, addressing the deepening loneliness that has been exacerbated by social and economic changes in recent years.
On the other side of the aisle, Senator Pete Ricketts focused on the importance of accurately measuring mental health conditions and assessing the effectiveness of available treatments. Ricketts, who served as Nebraska’s governor before joining the Senate, endorsed the Improving Measurements for Loneliness and Isolation Act of 2023. This bill seeks input from states on how to quantify mental health issues and determine the most cost-effective means of providing care.
Ricketts also shared his own experience in addressing mental health during his tenure as governor, noting that one of the biggest challenges he faced was the lack of providers in Nebraska. He highlighted the importance of bipartisan support for mental health initiatives, underscoring that mental health is a cross-party issue that should unite lawmakers in both red and blue states.
CEO Perspectives: Shaping the Workplace Mental Health Culture
Following the remarks from Senators Murphy and Ricketts, the summit turned to a panel of CEOs from some of the largest companies in the world. These business leaders shared their efforts to improve mental health support for their employees and discussed how they are integrating mental health initiatives into their corporate culture.
Julie Sweet, the chair and CEO of Accenture, shared insights on how the multinational professional services company has taken steps to ensure the mental well-being of its 774,000 employees worldwide. Accenture’s approach includes training 22,000 “mental health allies” across its workforce and implementing a unique company-wide engagement strategy. For instance, the company regularly checks in with employees via its chat platform, asking whether they have a best friend at work. This simple gesture fosters connection and reduces the sense of isolation that many employees face.
Sweet also highlighted Accenture’s partnership with Calm, an app that provides guided meditation and sleep stories. The company’s collaboration with Calm is just one example of how employers are leveraging digital tools to support workplace mental health in cost-effective ways. Sweet’s emphasis on creating a framework where “if someone works at Accenture, they should feel better off” is indicative of the growing awareness that mental health is an integral part of employee productivity and satisfaction.
Blake Moret, the CEO of Rockwell Automation, echoed Sweet’s thoughts, discussing his company’s efforts to improve employee well-being through digital tools like Calm and other wellness apps. Moret also pointed out that the integration of mental health apps into the corporate culture is not just about offering resources but about creating a more supportive and empathetic work environment.
Tackling Stigma and Increasing Access to Mental Health Services
While many companies are making strides to improve mental health access and awareness, one major challenge remains: ensuring that employees are aware of the resources available to them. Wayne Peacock, CEO of USAA, spoke candidly about this challenge. After the tragic suicide of an employee in 2020, USAA made it a priority to increase awareness of mental health services within the company. Peacock reported that, since then, approximately 55% of USAA employees are now aware of the mental health services offered by the company, with 20% actively utilizing free mental health counseling.
This shift in corporate culture, where employees feel more comfortable talking about mental health challenges, is a critical development in breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health in the workplace. As Peacock put it, “Today, more and more of our teammates are willing to say, ‘Hey, I’ve got a problem.’”
The Role of Employers in the Mental Health Ecosystem
The growing role of employers in addressing mental health is part of a broader trend in the behavioral health industry. Experts predict that in 2024, employers will sponsor more substance use disorder (SUD) programs, a critical area of mental health that often intersects with workplace issues. As Robert Poznanovich from the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation stated, “Employers, payers, and benefit consultants are creating an ecosystem of solutions to steer employees toward legitimate providers who offer care that complements other components of their health care systems.”
According to a 2023 survey on employer-sponsored behavioral health trends, 77% of employers said they plan to focus on improving mental health access in 2024. Additionally, 63% of employers are expected to collaborate with health plans and other vendors to expand mental health resources. This growing trend indicates that employers are not just interested in providing benefits—they are committed to making workplace mental health a central part of their corporate responsibility.
The Future of Workplace Mental Health: A Shared Commitment
The Mental Health Summit in Washington, D.C., was a clear indication that workplace mental health has become a central issue in both politics and business. With lawmakers, CEOs, and other key stakeholders actively working together to address this crisis, the hope is that we will see meaningful improvements in mental health support for employees and individuals across society. From legislative solutions aimed at reducing loneliness and isolation to corporate initiatives designed to create a more supportive and open work environment, the momentum around workplace mental health is undeniable.
As we look toward 2024 and beyond, it’s clear that mental health will continue to be a key issue on both the political and business agendas. The collaboration between business leaders and policymakers demonstrates a shared commitment to creating a healthier, more connected society. The future of workplace mental health is one where employers and lawmakers alike understand the fundamental importance of well-being, and where mental health is viewed not as a burden but as an essential part of human flourishing in the workplace and beyond.
