Conversations around mental health have shifted from being an afterthought to becoming a central part of workplace wellbeing, as seen through companies scoping new mental health benefits. For years, benefits packages focused mainly on physical health and financial perks, but employees increasingly expect more.
Younger generations, especially Gen Z and millennials, are leading this demand; nearly 70% of them expect employers to actively support mental health, and 61% of Gen Z workers say they would consider leaving a job for better mental health benefits elsewhere, according to APA. This shift reflects a fundamental change: employees today expect mental health to be recognized not as a perk but as a priority, essential for recruitment, retention, and overall workplace satisfaction. In fact, in the same APA report, 81% of workers say they will look for workplaces that support mental health when seeking future opportunities.
So, we dive into why this is important to business, what’s pushing this change, and how companies are reacting.
Why Mental Health Matters in a business
It’s been proven that companies that support mental health see higher employee engagement, better retention, and stronger workplace culture.
- Stress, burnout, and anxiety are among the leading causes of absenteeism and reduced productivity.
- 44% of employees consider quitting due to work-related stress, according to HRstacks.
This isn’t about offering a few “feel-good” perks. It’s about creating an environment where employees can bring their best selves to work, without compromising their well-being. Deloitte reported that for every £1 spent on supporting the mental health and wellbeing of their workforce, employers get (on average) about £4.70 back in increased productivity. Ignoring mental health not only risks employee wellbeing but also undermines business performance and growth.
But supporting mental health is not just a defensive strategy; it is a catalyst for innovation and resilience in an increasingly complex business landscape. Organizations that embed mental well-being into their culture are better equipped to adapt, collaborate, and thrive amid uncertainty. Leaders who prioritize mental health demonstrate empathy and foresight, signaling to employees that their human experience matters. Businesses ignoring this imperative risk being left behind, not only in performance metrics but in their capacity to attract the next generation of talent who demand purpose-driven workplaces. The question is no longer if mental health matters to business; it’s how deeply it is woven into the fabric of its success.
Communication of Mental Health Benefits
Many organizations still treat mental health support as an optional extra, such as a subscription to a meditation app here, a discount on gym membership there. While those are helpful, true support goes deeper.
Mental health benefits should be:
- Accessible – Employees need to know how to access support easily, without barriers.
- Personalized – Well-being means different things to different people, from counseling sessions to flexible work arrangements.
- Integrated – Support should feel like a natural part of the employee experience, not an add-on.
According to MHFA England, 52% of employees report feeling more engaged and productive when their organization offers mental health resources such as counseling, and clear communication about these benefits helps remove barriers to access. This leads us to consider whether the driving force behind increased benefit usage is improved communication, combined with employers recognizing the true cost of mental health challenges.
At Eppione, we remind employers that communication is key. Our platform brings all your employee benefits, including mental health programs, together. This means employees can:
- Quickly find and access mental health services included in their package.
- Explore wellbeing benefits that go beyond the basics, from therapy sessions to mindfulness tools.
- Feel reassured that their employer prioritizes their health, not just their output.
For employers, Eppione makes it easier to show commitment to employee wellbeing, reduce admin, and track engagement with wellbeing initiatives.
Building a Culture of Care
Employers are responding to the evolving needs of their workforce by embedding mental health as a core element of organizational culture. A powerful mental health strategy is not just a policy; it is a commitment to cultivating an environment where people feel safe, seen, and supported. This requires:
- Encouraging open conversations about mental health.
- Training managers to recognize signs of stress or burnout.
- Giving employees the flexibility and resources to look after themselves.
When employees feel seen and supported, they’re not just more productive, they’re more loyal, more engaged, and more likely to thrive. This transformation nurtures human potential in its fullest form and recognizes that the health of a business is inseparable from the mental well-being of its people.
Final Thoughts
Mental health isn’t just a perk to advertise in a job description; it’s a fundamental priority for any forward-thinking workplace.
Leading companies like Barclays have transformed employee engagement through storytelling and de-stigmatization campaigns such as “This Is Me,” while Bell Canada’s “Let’s Talk” initiative has fostered continual dialogue and invested millions toward mental health support nationwide. Tech giants, including Microsoft and Palo Alto Networks, provide extensive counseling access and wellness benefits that empower employees to manage their mental health proactively. Unilever integrates global wellbeing frameworks with innovative digital tools like the ClickWell app to support personalized mental health journeys.
These examples demonstrate that when organizations commit to nurturing mental health through culture, communication, and comprehensive resources, they unlock not just improved productivity, but loyalty, innovation, and sustained success. As the workplace evolves, the question businesses must ask is not if mental health matters, but how deeply it is woven into their very fabric. The future belongs to those who recognize mental health as essential to both individuals and their performance.
👉 If you’re interested in seeing how Eppione can help you better communicate your benefit programs, including mental health, in your workplace, schedule a demo.
