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Key takeaways from the 2025 Workplace Mental Health Action Summit, co-hosted by the Health Action Alliance and One Mind
Presented By:
Leadership is tested in challenging moments. How you show up — especially amid economic and political pressures — will define the culture you create.
At the Health Action Alliance's fourth annual Workplace Mental Health Action Summit on May 15, 2025, business, public health, and nonprofit leaders shared practical ways to lead with courage and build connected and resilient workplaces.
Read on for key takeaways from the event, and watch the full recording here.
Keynote Conversation: Embracing Courage and Leading With Purpose
Dr. Kathy Pike, President and CEO at One Mind, sat down with Chéla Gage, Chief People Officer at OLI Strategies, to discuss courage as a core leadership skill and the connection between purpose, inclusion, and mental health in the workplace.
Key Insights
Courage is the antidote to fear and anxiety. When we reframe courage as a leadership trait, new opportunities and conversations can occur.
Psychological safety fuels innovation and growth. When people feel safe, they are more willing and able to invent, be curious, and problem solve.
Leadership can come from every level of an organization. Courageous leadership isn’t about a title; we all have the opportunity to lead with courage throughout our work.
Courageous leadership fosters clarity, empathy, and trust, building the foundation for purpose-driven teams.
Take-Away Tactics
Cultivate resilience through seven key behaviors. These are: resourcefulness, purpose, connectedness, psychological safety, vulnerability, perseverance, and inclusion.
Model courageous vulnerability as a leader. Create psychological safety by openly acknowledging challenges, sharing your own experiences, and inviting honest dialogue from your team.
Connect leadership to purpose. Clearly articulate your organization’s “why” and tie it to your leadership approach. Purpose helps employees stay grounded, especially in turbulent times.
Embed resilience into team culture. Cultivate resilience through regular listening sessions, clear feedback systems, and space for open dialogue.
Panel: The Power of Community To Unite a Workforce
This panel, moderated by Dr. Tahilia Rebello, Vice President of One Mind Academy, explored how employers can build connection, belonging, and mental health support across diverse employee populations. The conversation featured insights from:
Alex Schuman, Head of Corporate Sustainability at Schrödinger
Melody McClain, Director of Benefit Programs at Levi Strauss & Co.
Understanding your workforce is key to impactful mental health efforts. Schrödinger tailors its programming to resonate with a highly scientific and neurodiverse workforce, combining technical, data-driven content with personal storytelling.
Clear communication strengthens impact.Alex Schuman emphasized the importance of using thoughtful, inclusive language: “We've done thorough exercises in examining the way that we're talking about corporate sustainability, about mental health, about DEI, and really making sure that no one gets tripped up by the language that we're using because the actual programs are so impactful.”
Flexibility and feedback fuel stronger programs.Levi’s culture encourages innovation and open feedback, allowing programs to evolve based on employee needs.
Workplace well-being impacts home life and vice versa.Stress is bidirectional; your employees bring what happens at home to work, but what happens at work can also go home.
Kindness is a powerful leadership practice. Ann Marie Braker shared how opening up about her son’s experience with depression catalyzed a company-wide kindness campaign.
Take-Away Tactics
Use employee resource groups as communication hubs. Build inclusive spaces like ERGs that foster open, ongoing dialogue. Schrödinger uses a dedicated Google Chat space to post updates, share resources, and encourage conversation.
Create year-round engagement with mental health. Use Mental Health Awareness Month as a springboard and plan consistent programming throughout the year to keep mental well-being a visible priority.
Focus on evidence-based interventions. Bring science-backed speakers and tools, such as breathing techniques, that deliver immediate, tangible employee benefits.
Tailor programming to your workforce. Choose topics and formats that align with your employee population's needs and learning styles.
Ensure consistent visibility. Regular communication about benefits, webinars, and support resources builds awareness and normalizes the conversation around mental health.
Prioritize restorative time off by ensuring employees can truly unplug and recharge. Levi Strauss designated the last Friday of every month as a corporate holiday and added a “Summer Refresh” week in July to ensure employees have actual restorative time away.
Resource Roundup
Want to dive deeper into workplace mental health and inclusive leadership? Explore these tools and guides:
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You'll walk away with real strategies to support your employees and community.
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