Why colleagues are a valuable (and overlooked) source of mental health support

Spring is here, and we’re finally ushering in a bit of sunshine. Although we are still navigating our way out of a global pandemic, spring brings a renewed sense of excitement for gathering with friends, spending time outdoors and breathing new life into projects. It’s a time of year that can just feel a little bit lighter.

But even with the promise of a new season, we currently face a level of uncertainty created by economic, political and social instability in the world. These everyday stressors, further compounded by the impacts of the pandemic, have put a strain on our mental health. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), one in five Americans will experience a mental illness in any given year, no matter the season.

Walmart is America’s largest private employer, and we recognize the outsized role we can play in shining a spotlight on the impacts of mental health and emotional well-being in the workplace. With May being Mental Health Awareness Month in the U.S., it is the perfect time for companies across the country to spark real conversations about mental health challenges that many of us face and help eliminate the stigma often attached to them.

Read more: Employees are still traumatized by COVID and are at risk for mental health issues

As we were thinking about what more we could be doing at Walmart, we were inspired by a few simple truths. We spend countless hours with each other in the workplace. We build friendships, depend on each other to succeed, celebrate each other, learn from each other, and even lean on each other in times of need. In many ways, we’re our own best support system.

So, why not invest in equipping our workforce with the tools necessary to recognize when someone may be struggling and be able to offer them support confidently and empathetically in their time of need?

We’re doing just that with the rollout of Mental Health First Aid training, a high-impact, skills-based program that teaches associates how to identify, understand and respond to people who are struggling with mental health or substance use issues.

This training, managed and operated by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, prepares associates to provide direct assistance and support, reach out to emergency services on someone’s behalf and implement the Mental Health First Aid Action Plan. This is just one of the many ways we are reinforcing our commitment to the emotional well-being of our associates. We also offer a variety of benefits and resources geared toward strengthening an individual’s overall mental health like no-cost counseling sessions, peer-to-peer support groups and, like other companies, access to fitness centers and stress management programs.

Read more: Walmart offers training to help workers extend mental health support

Here’s what I know for certain – we are in a unique cultural moment when mental health and seeking help is at the forefront of public conversation. It’s in our public discourse in a way it never has been before. The time to make a change is now. And while I’m encouraged to hear that so many companies have committed to bolstering their benefits plans to ensure help is there when employees need it, I believe we all have an opportunity to do so much more to not only continue the conversation, but to support the workforce with meaningful solutions.

For us, these are investments we are making in the well-being of each other at work and in our communities. Opening the conversation and breaking down the stigma associated with mental illness isn’t going to be easy, but I know one thing for sure — we get by with a little help from our friends.