The pandemic fundamentally changed how Americans approach work. Mental health support in the workplace shifted from a nice-to-have to a must-have benefit. Amidst this backdrop, it's clear the job of human resources professionals looks very different, and current and new HR leaders will be required to serve as counselors or confidantes for employees in the workplace. For companies to retain top talent, or attract new employees in the current labor market, employers and HR leaders must create a workplace environment that prioritizes employee wellbeing by making mental health a part of the company culture, rather than just adding benefits.

Here's why it's important. In Talkspace's Employee Stress Check 2022 Report, which polled 1,400 full-time employees in the U.S., finds that 86% of employees feel fulfilled at work under a supportive manager, and while 32% were likely to quit their jobs in 2022, 57% would likely stay if their workplace offered more mental health services, even more so amongst those considering quitting (66%).

As a majority of employees in the U.S. find work to be too stressful and continue to experience significant burnout due to a myriad of issues including workplace policies related to COVID-19, staffing shortages and turnover, rising inflation and economic anxiety, and other fluctuations, it's important that HR leaders step in to support their employees' mental health and encourage leaders through the organization to make it a part of the company culture.