Mental health is no longer a personal issue separate from organizational performance—it is a defining factor in how institutions operate, compete, and sustain their missions. That is the foundation of “The Mental Health Economy: Why Well-Being at Work Is a Workforce and Economic Imperative,” a recent article I published for Forbes Council.
As work becomes more complex and workforce expectations continue to evolve, well-being has emerged as a core driver of productivity, retention, innovation, and resilience. Research reinforces this shift: Investments in mental health yield measurable economic returns, while neglect contributes to absenteeism, turnover, and diminished organizational capacity. In today’s work environment, mental health is not an optional benefit; it is infrastructure. This holds true across sectors, including higher education.
At The Chicago School, this translates into a deliberate and sustained commitment. Rather than relying on one-size-fits-all solutions, the university prioritizes inclusive, participatory models that actively engage its community in shaping the systems designed to support them. This commitment is present year-round, but it becomes especially visible in May, as we recognize and help advance Mental Health Awareness Month.
Mental Health Awareness Month offers a critical opportunity for institutions and organizations, and the communities they serve, to move beyond acknowledging the importance of mental health and begin demonstrating a tangible commitment to well-being.
At The Chicago School, this commitment takes a multipronged, integrated approach. No initiative stands alone; each contributes to a broader institutional effort. Among the ways the university is advancing this work during May are:
- Community engagement and thought leadership: Promoting and participating in conferences and convenings that elevate the conversation. For example, the Naomi Ruth Cohen Institute for Mental Health Education at The Chicago School is hosting its 24th annual Community Mental Health Conference, Alone Together: Confronting Loneliness Across the Lifespan.
- Mental health awareness campaign: We all have physical health; the same is true for mental health, yet very little is discussed about it, particularly outside personal settings. Campaigns such as the one The Chicago School has planned for the month promote awareness, encourage discussion about a topic that affects all of us one way or another, and help break the stigma still associated with mental health challenges and support. This campaign is an opportunity to take the conversation from the classroom into the community, creating engagement and expanding its impact. We will be doing that through several means, including integrating the green ribbon that symbolizes Mental Health Awareness Month into all our efforts. Be sure to follow along and engage with us at the Naomi Ruth Cohen Institute on LinkedIn, The Chicago School on LinkedIn, The Chicago School on Instagram, and my personal LinkedIn profile.
- Student-centered initiatives: In addition to ongoing programming, the university is developing a resource list, available to all, that deepens overall knowledge on the topic. For students, this list will complement and expand an already solid foundational knowledge base of mental health and well-being, while promoting different perspectives that they can apply to their studies and practice.
Not to mention the various internal initiatives designed to foster dialogue and connection, inviting employees to engage in thoughtful conversations around mental health and well-being aligned with weekly themes.
These efforts reflect a broader institutional belief: There is no health without mental health. Nor can mental health exist in isolation, confined to a single function or silo. It requires collective commitment, and at The Chicago School, that commitment is embedded in how we teach, lead, and serve.
Our future will be shaped by how effectively we integrate mental health as a foundation across every domain: our workplaces, classrooms, and communities. Without this integration, we risk deepening the challenges we face as individuals, organizations, and as a society. Well-being is what makes all other priorities possible.
Leadership plays a critical role in this mental health economy. As mental health shifts from an individual’s responsibility to a shared organizational imperative, leaders must actively shape environments where well-being can thrive. There is no better time than Mental Health Awareness Month to demonstrate leadership.
Use this moment to advance the conversation within your own circles, promote awareness, and help reduce the stigma that still surrounds mental health, particularly in public and professional spaces.
Join us. Let’s make this a May to remember.