May 29, 2025

Mental Health Awareness Month may be wrapping up, but the risks associated with mental strain don’t disappear come June. For employers, insurers, and risk managers, mental health should be treated not as a seasonal conversation—but as a continuous business priority.

When mental health is neglected, the ripple effects are wide: higher injury rates, rising absenteeism, lost productivity, and increased claims costs. For industries already dealing with labor shortages and safety risks, overlooking employee well-being can quietly erode both performance and profitability.

Mental Health as a Business Risk

Mental health challenges are linked to increased workers’ compensation claims, short-term disability, and even general liability exposures in cases where stress contributes to poor decision-making or workplace incidents. That’s why addressing mental health isn’t just about support—it’s about prevention.

Insurance carriers are seeing these patterns emerge across industries. Chronic stress, burnout, and anxiety contribute to higher frequency and severity of claims, especially in high-pressure environments like logistics, manufacturing, and emergency services.

Sustaining Momentum Beyond May

To turn awareness into action, organizations can:

  • Integrate mental health into safety programs to identify stress-related risks before they escalate.

  • Encourage leadership buy-in to drive cultural change from the top down.

  • Invest in digital tools that provide real-time insight into employee wellness and offer self-guided support.

  • Update benefits to ensure mental health services are accessible, confidential, and truly aligned with employee needs.

A Strategic Advantage

Companies that prioritize mental health year-round not only reduce risk—they gain a strategic edge. Resilient teams are safer, more engaged, and more productive. As Mental Health Awareness Month concludes, the most forward-thinking organizations will see it as a starting point—not an endpoint.