START WITH MENTAL HEALTH
Talking openly about mental health is not optional if we want our employees, and our organizations, to thrive. HR and Communications leaders sit in a unique position to break down stigma, create space for real conversation, and connect more deeply with employees. Supporting mental health isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s a business imperative.
BRINGING THE CONVERSATION TO WORK
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. It’s a reminder that mental health doesn’t stay at home when we come to work. Our emotional wellbeing comes with us into every room, every meeting and every interaction.
Too often, we avoid talking about mental health because it feels uncomfortable. But times and expectations have changed. We need to move away from the outdated idea of “work-life balance” and instead embrace a work-life blend. Employees don’t switch themselves off when they log on. Meeting people where they are means providing resources, modeling openness, and making conversations about mental health as natural as any other check-in.
Think about it: if someone walked in with a broken arm, you’d ask what happened. You’d check in. But if someone is out for a “mental health break,” the instinct is often silence. That gap is stigma in action. I’m on a mission to change that.
LEVERAGE AVAILABLE RESOURCES
I’ve been a longtime volunteer with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) in Westchester County, NY, and their programs are incredibly helpful. AFSP focuses on research, education, advocacy, and building community around suicide prevention.
One program worth noting is Talk Saves Lives, a 45–60 minute presentation that helps people recognize warning signs, understand risk factors, and learn how to start a conversation with someone in crisis. It can be tailored to workplaces and is one of the best entry points for breaking the silence around suicide prevention. You can find more details about Talk Saves Lives and sign-up for a session here.
There are many other programs available to organizations that focus on manager training and support for employees. One of my faves is through YoJo Yoga, run by Jessa Messina. Jessa recently partnered with a clinical psychologist to offer just this type of training.
BUILD YOUR OWN COMMUNITY
Even pre-COVID there was talk of a loneliness epidemic, with people feeling more and more disconnected. Combine that with the challenge of connecting in a remote work environment.
And add to that, the proliferation of technology. According to an article published by Fast Company, “the technology we rely upon to make communication speedier and efficient carries the downside of making interactions more transactional,” meaning people are connecting less, in remote settings and beyond.
Leaders and culture-builders have to set the tone. Community doesn’t just happen; it’s built. Personally, I have found it challenging to work fully remote at times, so I invest in groups that keep me connected and accountable. I have to shout out my faves!
Female Founder’s Club: These monthly connections with Lauren Parker, Lia LoBello Reynolds, and Erin Howard are sustaining. As former colleagues, women business owners, and friends, we help each other through challenges, celebrate each other’s wins, and share our experiences as moms.
Communications and Engagement Roundtable: Kimberly Leupo and I started this group several years ago. Every quarter we host a group of four to 12 professionals working in communications - and largely within internal communications - at a wide range of organizations. The group shares best practices, inspiration, and affirms that we’re not losing our minds. Lots of us are having common experiences and we draw strength, resilience and relief from that. If you have any interest in joining us, feel free to respond to this interest form.
Both of these groups have helped me build communities that are nourishing and supportive - everything I need to be able to be my best in my work and for myself.
A LAST NOTE
Everything I do in this space is rooted in people. Employees deserve to feel seen, heard, and supported. And our willingness to talk about mental health directly impacts whether they do.
I carry this commitment outside of work, too. I serve as the Out of the Darkness Walk Chair for AFSP’s Westchester County walk. This year’s event is on October 18, 2025 at Mamaroneck Harbor Park in Westchester County, NY. If you or someone you know wants to be part of a community dedicated to suicide prevention, I’d love to hear from you. To learn more about your local Out of the Darkness walk, click here.
If nothing else, I hope you’ll have a conversation or connect with your community this month - either to discuss mental health or to support your own. Because ultimately, every conversation about mental health matters. By showing up for one another, we not only prevent silence, we create connection, resilience, and the kind of workplaces where people thrive.