How Women Leaders Can Normalize Mental Health Conversations at Work

Mental health is no longer a topic that belongs in the shadows—especially in the workplace. As women leaders, we have the unique opportunity to shift workplace culture in ways that prioritize well-being, foster emotional safety, and encourage authenticity. But this requires courage, vulnerability, and strategy.

When we lead with emotional intelligence and transparency, we not only help our teams thrive—we model a version of leadership that is deeply human.

Why It Matters

Workplaces are experiencing a mental health crisis: employees are reporting higher rates of anxiety, burnout, and disconnection than ever before. For high-achieving women leaders, the pressure to appear “together” often prevents the very conversations that could offer relief, healing, and real connection.

By normalizing mental health conversations, women in leadership roles can:

• Destigmatize seeking help

• Encourage a culture of empathy

• Improve performance and team cohesion

• Retain high-quality talent

• Lead more authentically

Practical Ways to Normalize Mental Health at Work

1. Start With Yourself

Leadership is modeling. If you talk about mental health proactively—even in small ways—it opens the door for others.

Say things like:

• “I block time for therapy each week—it's helped me stay grounded.”

• “This season has been overwhelming; I’ve been focusing on stress management lately.”

You don’t have to overshare to be real.

2. Make Mental Health Part of the Culture

• Integrate well-being into performance reviews or team check-ins

• Ask, “How’s your workload feeling right now?” instead of just “How’s the project going?”

• Offer mental health days as part of PTO policies

• Promote and fund wellness resources like EAPs, coaching, or mindfulness apps

3. Train Your Team

Host workshops or bring in speakers to discuss:

• Burnout prevention

• Emotional intelligence in leadership

• Managing anxiety in high-performance roles

Educating your team helps create shared language and reduces shame.

4. Use Your Influence

Advocate for:

• Policies that support flexible work

• Coverage for mental health services

• DEI initiatives that consider emotional and psychological safety for underrepresented groups

As a woman in leadership, your voice carries weight. Use it to push for systemic support, not just surface-level talk.

5. Be Compassionate AND Accountable

Normalizing mental health doesn’t mean avoiding performance conversations. It means leading with empathy while still upholding standards. Show that it’s possible to care about results and people’s well-being.

Resources to Support Your Leadership

• Books

  • Dare to Lead by Brené Brown

  • Burnout by Emily and Amelia Nagoski

• Apps

  • Calm for Business

  • Headspace for Work

  • Modern Health (corporate wellness platform)

• Organizations

  • National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Workplace Resources

  • Mind Share Partners – mental health at work consulting

  • The Mental Health Coalition

Final Thought

As a woman in leadership, you have the power to create a ripple effect. When you speak about mental health openly and lead with compassion, you give others permission to do the same. This is not just about workplace wellness—this is about cultural change.

Let’s normalize it together.

If you’re a woman leader looking to support your own mental health while showing up more authentically at work, I’d love to connect. Learn more at climbinghillscounseling.com.

Dr. Lauren Chase, LCMHC, NCC, BC-TMH, PMHC