How to Talk About Mental Health at Work: 3 Ways Leaders Can Start the Conversation
- Cassandra Rambo
- Jun 3
- 3 min read
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Mental health at work is a leadership issue—not just an HR one.
Emotionally intelligent leaders create space for honest check-ins.
Modeling vulnerability helps normalize tough conversations.
Visibility and accessibility of mental health resources matter.
Psychological safety fuels both wellbeing and performance.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month—and for leaders, that means more than just acknowledging stress. It means creating space to talk about it.
Mental health in the workplace is no longer a fringe topic. The conversation is here—and it’s essential. But knowing how to open that conversation? That’s still a challenge, especially in high-achieving environments where pressure often masquerades as professionalism.
In my coaching work, I see how often leaders want to support their teams—but don’t know where to begin. It starts with building a culture of emotional intelligence and psychological safety.
Here are three ways to begin (or deepen) that dialogue:
1. Ask better check-in questions.
“Are you okay?” often leads to a reflexive “I’m fine.” But more thoughtful questions create space for real answers.
Try asking:
“What’s been the most energizing part of your week?”
“Is there anything you’re carrying right now that you’d like support with?”
“What’s one word that describes how you’re really feeling today?”
2. Model emotional vulnerability.
This doesn’t mean oversharing—it means acknowledging when things are hard. When leaders name their own challenges, it gives others permission to be human, too. You don’t need to fix everything. Just holding space is powerful.
Try saying:
“I’ve been feeling stretched thin lately, and I know that affects how I show up. If you’re feeling it too, you're not alone.”
“This project has had me on edge—I’m working through it, but I want to be honest about where I’m at.”
3. Make mental health support visible.
Do your people know where to find mental health resources? Do they feel safe using them? Regularly highlight tools, EAPs, wellness events, or apps—and be explicit that using them is not only acceptable, but encouraged.
Try saying:
“I just wanted to remind everyone that we have access to mental health support through [EAP or resource name]—and I’ve personally used it. It’s a great tool, especially during high-pressure seasons.”
“Next week’s team meeting will include a short segment on wellbeing—because your mental health isn’t separate from your work performance. It matters here.”
When we say we want people to bring their whole selves to work—that includes the rough edges. The overwhelm. The real stuff.
As a leadership coach, I believe deeply that sustainable leadership starts with psychological safety. Let’s build cultures where both humanity and high performance can thrive.
Lead with Emotional Intelligence—Transform Your Leadership from the Inside Out
At Alpstra & Co., we help emerging and experienced leaders develop the emotional intelligence, clarity, and cultural influence needed to thrive in today’s workplace.
Whether you're navigating a big transition or shaping the future of your team, our leadership programs are designed to help you:
Build emotional intelligence as your leadership edge
Lead through change with resilience and authenticity
Cultivate high-performing teams and human-centered cultures
Through executive coaching, customized training, and dynamic keynotes, we empower leaders to unlock lasting impact—starting from within.
About Cassandra Rambo
Cassandra Rambo is a leadership coach, speaker, and consultant who helps leaders bridge the gap between who they are and how they lead. With over a decade in HR and organizational development, she specializes in guiding high-achievers through the shift from technical expert to confident, human-centered leader.
As a certified iPEC coach and ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC), Cassandra blends evidence-based practices with deep empathy and holistic frameworks—helping clients quiet self-doubt, elevate their voice, and lead with purpose and integrity.
"Leadership gets real when we integrate our head, heart, and gut. That’s where sustainable success begins."
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