Article originally published by Frederick County Chamber of Commerce, July 29, 2025, by MHA Staff. For full article, please visit the Chamber’s Insights Blog website here.
Did you know that at any given time, one in five people are experiencing a mental health struggle? According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, mental health challenges can impact a person’s ability to complete daily tasks, maintain relationships, and manage stress making it not just a personal issue, but a business one too.
The most common way these challenges show up at work? Burnout.
Burnout is more than just feeling tired. It’s a symptom of deeper mental health struggles and a sign that someone is overwhelmed and unable to cope with stress. In the workplace, this can look like a lack of motivation, trouble concentrating, disengagement, and a freeze in executive functioning, A.K.A. the inability to follow through on important tasks.
In a world where news, stress, and uncertainty are never more than a click away, burnout is on the rise. This has serious implications for your business. If even 20% of your team or their family is affected, productivity, morale, and customer satisfaction can take a hit.
Why Mental Wellness Should Matter to Business Leaders
Businesses have long recognized the value of supporting physical health by offering gym discounts, health screenings, and wellness challenges. Some have even begun to prioritize financial health with literacy programs or banking partnerships.
But mental wellness? It’s still too often ignored, despite its direct impact on employee performance and business outcomes.
Mental health used to be a taboo subject, often misunderstood or dismissed as a personal failing. Today, thanks in part to the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and growing public awareness, those perceptions are shifting. More employees are speaking up and expecting their workplaces to support their mental wellness just as they do physical health.
What Can Business Leaders Do?
The good news is that supporting mental wellness in the workplace doesn’t require a major overhaul. Here are practical steps any business can take:
- Check in regularly: Make time for meaningful, one-on-one conversations with your employees—not just about job performance, but about how they’re doing in life. Genuine empathy builds trust and opens the door for early support.
- Create opportunities for connection and decompression: Whether it’s a weekly mindfulness break, a “puppy visit” from therapy dogs, or simply a quiet corner for relaxation, small gestures can make a big difference.
- Get informed and stay connected: Know the signs of burnout and mental health concerns. Partner with local organizations that specialize in mental wellness to access training, discounts for wellness programs, or community resources.
- Lead by example: Encourage your leadership team to attend mental wellness trainings and model balance, self-care, and open conversations about mental health.
Resources for Frederick County Businesses
The Mental Health Association of Frederick County (MHA) is a powerful resource for employers looking to support their teams. MHA offers:
- 24/7 Call Center Support — Dial the Frederick County Hotline at 301-662-2255, 211, or 988 for confidential help and resource navigation.
- Walk-In Crisis Care Center— No-cost, in-person or virtual support with trained crisis specialists located at 340 Montevue Lane, Frederick, MD.
- Speakers Bureau — Subject matter experts available to speak to your business or team about mental wellness, employee engagement, and local resources.
Your employees are your greatest asset, and their mental wellness is your business’s wellness. By embracing a culture that supports mental health, you’re not only investing in your people; but you’re also investing in long-term success.
For more information on how to bring mental wellness to your workplace, contact the Mental Health Association of Frederick County or visit www.fcmha.org.