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Guest column by Jinny Rietmann

Workforce Development Inc. recently hosted the 2025 Workforce Forum, centered around the theme: “Adapt and Advance — A Workforce Built to Thrive.” This theme was woven throughout the event, highlighting intentional strategies individuals can embrace to adapt, along with best practices businesses can implement to build a resilient, thriving workforce.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and it is more critical than ever before to elevate employee support in the workplace, not only for their own mental health, but to strengthen organizational health and workplace resiliency. The U.S. Surgeon General calls mental health the “defining public health crisis of our time.” This begs the question: How can employers lead in strengthening and equipping teams with the tools they need to thrive? Below are a few strategies that employers can implement to build an adaptable and resilient workforce:

• Know your legal obligations, including providing reasonable accommodations and workplace supports. This also includes providing required coverage for mental health services and benefits, as applicable.

• Encourage advocacy of your employees for themselves and for their peers.

• Build awareness about mental health issues and resources, to build a more positive and welcoming workplace culture. Tips on how to do this can be found here: https://www.dol.gov/general/mental-health-at-work

• Know your resources — there is a wealth of resources available to assist employers in developing strategies to encourage positive mental health in the workplace. Here is just one of those resources: https://www.ncsl.org/labor-and-employment/mental-health-in-the-workforce-toolkit.

We view employment as a key contributor to positive mental health — quality jobs are essential to overall well-being and a sense of security. The key word here is good jobs.

This definition can be somewhat subjective, but creating a positive workplace culture, including systems, supports and leadership that encourage positive mental health, are critical pieces of the puzzle. Helping people with employment, and finding better employment, through upskilling, career laddering and advancement opportunities, should be a standard mental health intervention.

Research shows that employment improves the mental health and well-being of people, including those with serious mental disorders, with improved self-esteem, a better quality of life, more meaningful social relationships and a sense of community belonging. Providing “good jobs,” to include positive working conditions, growth opportunities and family sustaining wages, also provides a catalyst for positive mental health in the workplace. Learn more about job quality here: https://www.careerforcemn.com/jobquality

This May, during Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s commit to supporting both our workforce and the mental well-being that sustains it.

Jinny Rietmann is the executive director of Workforce Development Inc.