Whether due to escalating financial worries or the prevalence of social media, employees’ mental health concerns have grown in recent years. In one American Psychological Association survey, 81% of workers said they would seek out workplaces that support mental health. Increasingly, employees value holistic wellness and want to see it integrated into workplace culture. 

Without this support, employees may be dissatisfied, unproductive, and more likely to dust off their resumes. And while many organizations now offer mental health benefits, today’s workforce wants something more: a positive workplace culture that normalizes mental wellness, destigmatizes asking for help, and supports the diverse challenges employees experience in and out of the workplace. Let’s explore how employee mental health initiatives can fit into your benefits offerings — and why they’re key to attracting and retaining top talent. 

The Current State of Employee Mental Health 

Burnout, stress, and emotional strain continue to rise in workplaces and at home. As HelpGuide explains, chronic stress can lead to a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion. Over time, these feelings can cause individuals to lose motivation and grow disinterested in roles they previously enjoyed.  

In the workplace, burnout can manifest as incomplete projects, absenteeism, or a lack of enthusiasm. Conversely, employees with strong overall well-being tend to engage more fully in their roles. Employee engagement is closely tied to employee well-being, and the two often rise and fall together.  

According to Deloitte, 68% of employees and 81% of C-suite leaders consider working on their well-being to be more important than advancing in their careers. Employers with wellness programs, work-life balance, and a positive company are more likely to have employees who feel supported and remain motivated. 

For these reasons, integrating employee mental health support into daily workplace culture must be a top priority for employers. The right mix of mental health benefits and voluntary benefits can help employees feel valued, seen, and supported, contributing to employee satisfaction and engagement. 

Why Culture Matters as Much as Mental Health Benefits 

Mental health benefits are essential, but they’re not enough on their own. Employees want workplaces that acknowledge, normalize, and reinforce mental health from the top down. 

A culture-driven approach to mental health includes: 

• Reducing stigma and normalizing conversations. Employees are more likely to use mental health resources when leaders openly acknowledge the importance of emotional well-being. Maintaining open, non-judgmental communication can build trust and encourage the use of benefits. 
• Creating psychologically safe environments. When employees feel safe asking for support — whether due to stress, burnout, caregiving responsibilities, or personal challenges — they’re more likely to remain engaged and proactive in their roles. 
• Aligning policies with well-being. Flexible scheduling, realistic workloads, and respect for boundaries allow employees to prioritize wellness without fear of repercussions. 
• Supporting the “whole employee.” Employees expect workplaces to acknowledge the many factors that impact mental health, including finances, family responsibilities, caregiving, physical health, and pet care. A culture that supports all aspects of life outside work fosters stronger loyalty and reduces burnout. 

Building a culture of mental health isn’t just about benefit offerings. It requires wellness-first policies, procedures, and daily actions that leaders champion consistently, and employees can rely on. 

What Modern Mental Health Benefits Look Like Today 

Mental health programs have evolved in recent years. While traditional employee assistance programs remain valuable, today’s employees want flexible mental health resources focused on prevention and proactive care. 

Key features of modern benefits programs with a mental health component include: 

• Digital care options, including teletherapy, text-based therapy, and app-based counseling 
• Preventive wellness programs encompassing stress management, sleep coaching, and mindfulness resources 
• Caregiver support resources to help address the strain of caring for aging loved ones or other family members with health conditions 
• Financial wellness programs, which research links to mental health 
• Flexible policies to support remote and hybrid work arrangements 

As Deloitte notes, executives often overestimate how supported their teams feel, creating a disconnect between leadership perceptions and employees’ actual experiences. These gaps suggest a clear need for leaders to listen to what their workforce truly needs and demonstrate genuine care for employees’ holistic well-being. 

Pets as a Powerful Contributor to Employee Mental Health 

Beyond traditional mental health programs, employers are recognizing the role that pets play in supporting employees’ emotional well-being. According to recent research, pets help reduce stress, facilitate social connections, help regulate emotions, and provide a sense of purpose and routine — all of which contribute to more engaged, satisfied employees. 

The 2025 Pet Benefit Solutions HR Survey reveals just how influential pet-related support has become. 76% of employees at companies offering pet health insurance described themselves as fully engaged with their work, while 85% expressed interest in having pet benefits included in voluntary offerings – with 66% having inquired about pet-related benefits more than once.  

Pet-related benefits can include: 

• Employer-sponsored pet insurance 
• Pet wellness plans 
• Discounts for prescriptions and everyday pet care 
• Pet-friendly work environments 
• Pawternity leave 
• Pet bereavement leave 

By offering pet benefits, you’re supporting employees’ mental health as well as reducing the emotional and financial challenges of pet ownership. 

How To Integrate Mental Health into Workplace Culture 

Clearly, there’s an opportunity for organizations to support mental health more holistically. Steps may include: 

• Communicating mental health resources often and transparently 
• Training managers in supportive leadership practices 
• Encouraging flexible scheduling during periods of high stress 
• Providing mental health days or expanded time-off policies 
• Creating pet-friendly environments where feasible 
• Offering voluntary pet benefits that reduce financial and emotional stress 

By combining modern mental health programs with supportive policies, organizations can create workplaces that support employees’ lives in and out of work. 

Make Mental Health a Priority for Your Team 

Creating a culture where mental health is a priority, not an afterthought, requires consistent effort across an0 organization. However, with the right workplace programs and benefits offerings, you can establish a foundation for lasting happiness and sustainable growth — for both the organization and your team. 

Pet Benefit Solutions makes it easy for employers to support employees with best-in-class pet insurance, pet wellness plans, and everyday pet care savings that help employees care for every member of their family – even their pets. To explore pet benefit options that can enhance workplace wellbeing, reach out to Pet Benefits Solutions and request a proposal today.