New Data Highlight Connection Between Mental Health and DEIB Initiatives

Workforce Mental Health Assessment Releases Fall 2024 Focal Brief

What Happens to Workforce Mental Health When You Add Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging to the Mix?

RUTHERFORD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--One Mind at Work, a global nonprofit dedicated to building the future of workforce mental health, today released the latest insights from the Mental Health at Work Index™. The Index is a standardized assessment of organizational-level initiatives to address workforce mental health. The data show that organizations aligning their mental health and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) strategies were more likely to report improvements in employee engagement.

The new report titled “What Happens to Workforce Mental Health When You Add Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging to the Mix?” emphasizes the critical importance of aligning these efforts for optimal impact. The findings underscore recent research showing the connection between mental health and DEIB.

In today’s rapidly evolving workplace, employers are discovering that fostering a culture of belonging is crucial for employee well-being and performance. When employees feel included and valued—regardless of their differences—organizations unlock the full potential of their workforce. However, the report highlights that too many employers treat mental health and DEIB as separate initiatives, leading to missed opportunities for engagement, innovation, and resilience.

Key Findings from the Focal Brief Include:

• Siloed Efforts: While a majority of employers are committed to both workforce mental health and DEIB, these initiatives often remain disconnected. Fewer than one in three organizations (28%) have aligned their mental health and DEIB efforts, despite the clear benefits.

• Diverse Workforce Needs Unmet: Fewer than half (48%) of organizations provide culturally appropriate mental health resources and benefits and ensure that providers are trained in cultural competency.

• The Impact of Alignment: Organizations that align their mental health and DEIB strategies were 25% more likely to report increases in employee engagement in the last year compared to organizations that do not align these efforts. They also scored 40% higher in overall program maturity on the Mental Health at Work Index.

“DEIB is not a political issue—it’s a people issue and a business imperative,” said Dr. Kathy Pike, CEO of One Mind. “When organizations intentionally align mental health and DEIB efforts, they not only foster a sense of belonging but also create environments where everyone can thrive, driving both well-being and organizational performance.”

Taking Action for the Future

The report challenges employers to rethink how they approach mental health and DEIB, calling for greater integration of these initiatives. Research has linked embracing these changes with improved employee well-being, job satisfaction, and retention.

Other benefits of investing in these aligned strategies include higher levels of innovation, team cohesiveness, and connection with diverse customer bases.

As more organizations recognize the value of aligning workforce mental health with DEIB efforts, they are better positioned to not only attract top talent but also to support their people through times of uncertainty and change.

Download the Full Report

Click here to download “What Happens to Workforce Mental Health When You Add Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging to the Mix?” To join our October 15th, 1:00 pm ET webinar in which we will discuss the key insights as well as actions employers can take to better align their workplace mental health and DEIB initiatives, please register here.

About the Mental Health at Work Index

The Mental Health at Work Index is a self-assessment tool for business leaders who are committed to being data-driven when it comes to workforce mental health. Using the Index, organizations establish the baseline maturity of their mental health programs, pinpoint priority areas that will accelerate the impact of their efforts, and tap into evidence-based resources for optimizing their programs to achieve better outcomes, both for their employees and for their organization.

Developed collaboratively by One Mind at Work, Columbia University’s Mental Health + Work Design Lab and Ethisphere, the Mental Health at Work Index landed One Mind on Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies list and the winner in the workplace category for World Changing Ideas.

For more information about the Mental Health at Work Index, visit www.mentalhealthindex.org.

About One Mind at Work:

One Mind at Work is a non-profit organization leading a global movement to improve workplace mental health. Our mission is to translate science to build workplace best practices that drive measurable impact on workforce mental health, leading to better outcomes for individuals and organizations. With science and data as our cornerstone, we partner with employers around the world who recognize that a healthy workforce is at the heart of a high-performing organization. We provide our members with guidance and recommendations built on decades of scientific, clinical, and translational mental health work on a global scale. https://onemindatwork.org/