Building a Mentally Healthy Workplace

Posted on April 21, 2026 in Healthy Living

Key takeaways about mental health at work:

• Poor employee mental health can impact daily work performance and lead to absenteeism.
• Proactive support for employees can lead to positive conversations about mental health at work.
• IADAPT is a program developed to support the mental health of Iowa dentists.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and it’s the perfect time to reflect on how your business supports employee mental health at work. Reports state that half of workers are impacted by severe burnout, depression, or anxiety. This is a concerning trend, but one that can be helped when employers provide resources and enact policies that support employee mental health and retention.

Why mental health matters in the workplace

As an employer, keeping employees happy, healthy, and motivated is essential for maintaining a thriving business. But when employees feel overwhelmed by hefty workloads, exhausted from long hours, or financially stressed due to low wages, it can contribute to mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression.

Anxiety at work can lead to:

• Distant or irritable behavior
• Poor job performance
• Inability to meet deadlines / focused on perfection
• Turning down growth opportunities

Depression at work can lead to:

• Slower decision-making
• Procrastination
• Less attention to detail / more errors
• Absenteeism

All of these impacts can have ripple effects on other employees or even the entire workplace culture. Mental health issues at work can also lead to higher employee turnover, whether voluntary or involuntary, which can hinder a team's progress toward its goals.

Preventive mental health resources

Just like physical health, our mental health can also benefit from preventive care. Employers can choose to offer a variety of benefits or make changes to workplace culture that employees view positively.

Examples of changes include:

• Offering greater work-life balance through schedule flexibility, breaks, and more manageable working hours
• Creating safe spaces to speak openly about mental health
• Providing access to mental health benefits or resources, such as an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Developing programs for employee recognition, role development, and manager training 

When employers invest in preventive mental health, employees are more likely to:

• Trust the company and its leaders
• Report satisfaction with their jobs
• Stay at their company for two years or longer

Mental health resources for employers

There are many statewide mental health resources available to support workplace teams. Here are a few that we recommend:

• Make It OK – a national campaign designed to reduce the stigma of mental illnesses. In Iowa, employers can register as a Make It OK workplace and receive training and consultations for prevention and awareness.
• Mindspring – an Iowa-based alliance that provides no-cost, onlinemental health education, support, and advocacy programs for community members.
• NAMI Iowa - serves as a catalyst around advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all Iowans affected by mental illness can lead better lives.
• 988 Lifeline offers 24/7 judgement free support for mental health, substance use, and more. Text or dial 988 to or visit 988.lifeline.org.

Support for Iowa Dentists

In 2025, Delta Dental of Iowa partnered with the Iowa dental community to launch the Iowa Dental Advocacy for Professional and Personal Thriving (IADAPT), a program to support the mental health and overall well-being of Iowa’s dentists.

Through IADAPT dental providers can access mental health and professional coaching services tailored to their individual situations and needs.

At Delta Dental of Iowa, we believe healthy smiles start with healthy providers. We’re committed to supporting the overall health of dental professionals, and programs like IADAPT strengthen the providers we rely on for building healthier communities.

Learn more about IADAPT.