Infographic: Developing a Culture of Mental Wellness

The nature of a firm is developed from the leadership and values it holds. However, what many may not realize is that, while the nature of the firm is to focus on business aspects, a firm also needs to focus on the mental health and wellness aspects of its employees. To develop a psychologically safe and positive work culture that looks to advance learning and develop the firm overall, we must take an all-encompassing look at the behavioral, psychological and spiritual aspects of the firm’s environment and the values it prioritizes.

Understanding and addressing behavioral reaction and interaction from the neuroscientific perspective helps inform implementation practices. Within this, we know if we utilize approaches that decrease stress hormones (i.e. cortisol) and increase relational hormones such as oxytocin and dopamine, we will have fewer stress-reactive behaviors that decrease output. And, we will create an environment that fosters a more positive brain chemical makeup resulting in happier employees, increased outcomes, physically and mentally safe staff, and sustainable employment. This, in turn, helps drive the business forward.

Tangible ways to impact these brain chemicals are to develop a work culture that includes behaviors such as ritualizing whenever possible, practicing flexibility, fostering and building relationships through similarities, creating a generous environment, practicing supportive implementation and neutralizing the competitive nature within the firm. To do this, it is the responsibility of the individual and leadership team to eradicate environments of toxic stress and fear and increase humility, generosity and gratitude.