Mental health conversations at work often happen when it’s already too late—after burnout, crises, or tragedy. But it doesn’t have to be that way. In this session, we’ll explore how organizations can shift from being reactive to proactive by giving managers and leaders the confidence and tools they need to support mental well-being every day.

We’ll look at how to focus on prevention, even when there aren’t obvious warning signs, and explore the critical role managers play in shaping their team’s experience without asking them to step into the role of a therapist. We’ll talk about how openness, storytelling, and vulnerability can help reduce stigma and create a culture where people feel safe seeking support. The conversation will also touch on helping employees understand and access available resources, responding thoughtfully when a workplace experiences loss or crisis, and how rapid change and global stressors are shaping employees’ mental health today.

This isn’t about turning managers into clinicians. It’s about creating workplaces where people feel supported, seen, and safe—before, during, and after challenges arise.