Beyond Awareness: How Corporate Wellness Programs Can Reclaim Mental Health in the Workplace

The working day no longer exists within the tidy confines of 9 to 5. Between never-ending emails, Slack notifications, and virtual meetings, it’s no surprise that ‘quiet quitting’ and burnout are on the rise amongst professionals in almost every industry. Events like World Mental Health Day (October 10^th) and Mental Health Awareness Month are an opportunity for companies to reflect on stress management at work and workplace mental health. 

While many companies will promote mental health campaigns for these events, awareness is only the first step. Meaningful change can only happen when organizations adopt corporate wellness programs, making them a core part of their leadership practice and company culture. At Ripple Wellness, our wellness education workshops and programming helps companies implement small changes that make big waves. 

Mental Health at Work: Navigating High Burnout Rates

Research by Gallup shows that burnout rates have only gotten higher since the pandemic, with employees across all demographics feeling disengaged and emotionally fatigued. The growth of remote and hybrid working has led to lower employee engagement and a mental health crisis, with professionals recording record-high levels of negative emotions in the workplace. 

While companies are becoming increasingly aware of the need for corporate wellness programs, many are opting for one-off events and incentives that don’t address the root problems. For companies and HR managers, mental health is a business issue as much as a personal one. 

The World Health Organization classifies burnout as an ‘occupational phenomenon’. It’s a growing problem stemming from chronic workplace stress that reduces creativity, damages employee morale, and increases staff turnover. Getting serious about preventing employee burnout and implementing holistic wellness at work can improve employee engagement, retention, and productivity. 

From Awareness to Action: Building a Workplace Wellness Culture 

Mental Health Awareness Day isn’t just another event to add to your calendar; it should be part of your day-to-day work culture. Changing your company culture is necessary to take meaningful action to prevent employee burnout, and that starts with your leadership team setting the right example with mindful communication and modeling healthy boundaries. 

The best way to build a workplace wellness culture is by blending structure with soul, putting mindfulness at the heart of your day-to-day work with support frameworks and leading with empathy. 

What Real Wellness Looks Like at Work

Holistic wellness at work is about considering the emotional, environmental, mental, and physical well-being of your employees. Corporate wellness programs aren’t just one-off events like yoga sessions or free snacks. They take a more holistic approach to employee well-being, with initiatives like stress management and mindset training, while incorporating preventative self-care as part of leadership development. 

Getting serious about mental health at the workplace doesn’t just result in healthier employees; it leads to better collaboration, lower absenteeism, and more successful companies. At Ripple Wellness, we offer concierge-level support for companies to help develop their own holistic corporate wellness program. Together, we’ll help your team thrive by making wellness a shared value. 

Lead Differently by Embracing Corporate Wellness 

Company leadership is about caring for your people, not just your KPIs. Let’s stop just talking about wellness by taking a holistic approach to employee well-being that can create positive ripples throughout your workplace. 

If your company’s ready to move beyond awareness and into action, get in touch to find out more about Ripple Wellness’ customized wellness workshops and employee programs to help your team make small changes that cause big waves.