Written by Savannah Evans, a NAMI CC 2026 Summer Intern
Mental health in the workplace is crucial for ensuring healthy work environments, positive health outcomes, and increased productivity. Work-related stress can result in further development of stress and health issues in all aspects of an individual’s life. Recognizing stress is the first step to improving mental health in the workplace.
Recognizing Stress
Symptoms of stress include:
- Feeling irritated, angry, or in denial
- Feeling uncertain, nervous, or anxious
- Feeling helpless or powerless
- Lacking motivation
- Feeling tired, overwhelmed, or burned out
- Feeling sad or depressed
- Having trouble sleeping
- Having trouble concentrating
Burnout & Its Impact
Burnout results from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully addressed and can impact workers’ abilities to respond to daily life activities. According to NAMI StigmaFree, 53% of US employees experienced burnout within the last year. This decreases working productivity and total earnings within a company. Workers experiencing burnout are more likely to experience mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression.
Factors of burnout:
- Feelings of exhaustion or energy depletion
- Negative or cynical feelings towards work
- Reduced performance at work
Impact of burnout in the workplace:
- Decreased productivity
- Job dissatisfaction
- Absenteeism/high turnover
- Risk to health and well-being
Burnout can negatively impact employees and companies in the long-term, so it is crucial to address burnout, stress, and mental health in the workplace through policies, resources, and self-care.
Mental Health Friendly Leadership in the Workplace
The best ways to address mental health in the workplace are to change workplace policies and practices, with managers and supervisors playing a supportive role. Workplace leadership members can reduce and prevent work-related stress.
Some examples are:
- Implementing mental health and leadership training for all employees
- Increasing opportunities for choice of workplace setting (i.e., working from home or hybrid options)
- Reexamining health policy plans to focus on employee mental health, such as providing access to Employee Assistance Programs
- Introducing feedback opportunities to improve the workplace environment
- Implementing organizational and management policies that eliminate the root causes of stress
- Developing policies based on equity, diversity, and belonging
How NAMI Helps
Reducing the stigma around mental health is an important factor for improving workplace mental health. According to NAMI StigmaFree, employees who receive mental health training report lower levels of stigma around mental health. Only 43% of these employees worry about being judged if they shared their mental health struggles, compared to 52% of employees at companies without mental health training.
NAMI’s StigmaFree Company initiative encourages Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), or business practices that take responsibility for a company’s impact on social well-being. NAMI StigmaFree offers CSR and employee engagement activities in its StigmaFree Company Welcome Kit. The kit provides companies with the resources, assets, and information to promote mental health awareness in the workplace and to encourage acceptance and understanding.
Kit link provided here: https://www.nami.org/stigmafree-company/stigmafree-company-sign-up/
How Healthy Coping Skills Support Mental Wellness
Learning healthy ways to cope with workplace stress can also foster a positive and burnout-free environment.
Healthy coping skills include:
- Communicating with your coworkers, supervisors, and employees about job stress
- Asking for workplace mental health resources
- Taking breaks during your shift to rest, stretch, or check in with supportive colleagues, coworkers, friends, and family
- Exercising and being active
- Spending time outdoors through exercise, reading, or relaxing
- Taking care of the mind, such as by meditating or journaling
- Eating nutritious food and prioritizing sleep
Changing policies and improving coping skills can help reduce the stigma around mental health in the workplace.
How NAMI CC Promotes Mental Health-Friendly Workplaces
NAMI CC actively works to create a mental health-friendly workplace through education, resources, and community‑based programs that support employee well‑being and reduce stigma.
Some examples are:
- Providing mental health education and training to improve communication and support employees experiencing stress or burnout.
- Offers support groups and programs to discuss mental health challenges and receive peer support.
- Promotes open conversation and compassionate workplace practices, ensuring staff feel safe, respected, and supported in emotionally demanding roles.
- Hosts monthly meetings where anyone can share concerns, discuss needs, and voice possible improvements in the workplace or community.
- Engages in community outreach, strengthening awareness of mental health needs and encouraging other workplaces to adopt supportive practices.
- Shares resources through the NAMI StigmaFree initiative to help employers build healthier workplaces.
If you are experiencing work-related stress, communicate, seek resources, and practice healthy coping skills.
Local Resources
NAMI Contra Costa Warm Line
(925) 942-0767
Contra Costa County Mental Health Services Access Line
1 (888) 678-7277
Info at www.cchealth.org/mentalhealth
Comprehensive List of Social Services Programs
For a comprehensive list of Social Services Programs available, including medical, food, housing, mental health, substance use, jobs, crisis lines, etc., please dial 2-1-1 from any phone.
Mental Health Financial Counselors
To reach Mental Health Financial Counselors, please call (925) 313-7750.
Crisis Hotlines
Contra Costa Crisis Center
The Contra Costa Crisis Center is a nonprofit organization committed to providing free 24/7 services to everyone in need.
Text ‘HOPE’ to 20121 to get in touch with one of their counselors.
988 National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.
988lifeline.org
Phone: 988
Sources
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8631150/#sec16
- https://www.apa.org/topics/healthy-workplaces/improve-employee-mental-health
- https://www.cdc.gov/mental-health/caring/providing-support-for-workers-and-professionals.html
- https://stigmafree.nami.org/guides/mental-health-and-burnout-in-the-workplace/
