There’s no shortage of uncertainty right now. The economy feels unpredictable, tariffs are in the news daily, and AI continues to evolve faster than anyone can fully understand. Even for the most resilient among us, it’s a lot to carry. The truth is, many people are walking into work with silent stress — worries about finances, family, or the future, that no one else can see. As leaders, we must prioritize checking in with our teams. We don’t have to make grand gestures to make an impact, but we do need to be intentional with our actions and words. Sometimes, that means simply checking in, taking a moment to see the person behind the workload, and reminding them that mental health support is available and there is no stigma to asking for help.

Mental Health in the News

Recent studies confirm what many of us are already feeling. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, better known as NAMI, in their 2025 Workplace Mental Health Poll, 42% of employees worry their career could be negatively affected if they talked openly about mental health at work. One in four employees has considered leaving a job because of mental health concerns, and 7% actually did. According to another survey by the American Psychological Association, 77% of workers reported experiencing work-related stress within the past month. These numbers are more than statistics; they’re reminders that the people we depend on to keep our businesses running are often struggling quietly.

Shifting My Focus

For my own well-being, I’ve learned that staying grounded in gratitude makes all the difference. When I focus on helping others, I notice I am not stuck in my own head. Earlier this year, the Ethos team participated in a Random Acts of Kindness initiative. These small, intentional gestures reminded us to look outward instead of inward. What started as a simple team challenge turned into conversations among our team on how and why they chose their specific Random Act of Kindness. The act of sharing this information in our team meetings allowed us to see each person beyond their job responsibilities and gave us insight into what is important to them. Helping someone else — even in small ways lightens the emotional load and re-centers our perspective.

Mental health concerns aren’t only emotional; they can also take a physical toll. Stress and burnout can manifest as fatigue, headaches, and tension that follow us long after the workday ends. Many of us instinctively know what helps: taking a walk, joining a workout class, petting the dog, or spending a few minutes in the garden. These aren’t luxuries, they’re necessary resets.

How are You Doing?

There’s a reason they tell you to put your oxygen mask on first, before helping others. As leaders, we have to model the behavior we want (by getting help, for example) and taking care of ourselves before focusing on everyone else. We must model that balance and remind our teams that it’s okay to take a break, log off for an hour, and use their vacation days. We can’t pour from an empty cup!

Share Resources with Your Team Now

As we head into the holidays, a season filled with both joy and pressure (sometimes in the same moment), it’s the perfect time to remind your employees what support programs are available to them.

If you haven’t shared information about your Employee Assistance Program recently, do it now. I have also listed additional resources below that you can share with your team. You should encourage your managers to discuss mental health in the same way they’d discuss physical health. Good leadership isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about asking the right questions and showing genuine care. Because, as Stephen Covey said, “What you do has far greater impact than what you say.”

Mental Health Resources

If you or someone on your team needs mental health support, here are a few trusted places to start:

California Resources

• CalHOPE Warm Line: Call or text (833) 317-HOPE (4673) for peer support and crisis help
• 211 California: call or visit the website. This is a free confidential service that connect people with local health, human and social services.
• NAMI California: NAMI has local chapters, education, and support groups
• Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health: 1-800-854-7771 (24/7 support and referrals)
• Safe at Work California: mental health tools for employers and workers

National Resources

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (24/7, free, confidential)
• SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) free, confidential referral service for substance abuse and mental health
• NAMI: HelpLine: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or text “HelpLine” to 62640 (Mon–Fri, 10am–10pm ET)
• Mental Health America: screening tools and education