As a woman and co-founder of a mental health startup, I faced the daily challenge of balancing work, kids, and household responsibilities—all in the same 24 hours. This is a balancing act that many women navigate every day. The pressure to excel at work, feed our families, and maintain our homes can be overwhelming. But through my journey, I’ve learned that managing these demands requires embracing the art of prioritization and being willing to ask for help.

For too long, many of us have believed that we have to handle everything ourselves. We hesitate to ask for support because we think it makes us look weak. But the truth is, asking for help is a sign of strength. Involving our partners and families in household tasks and supporting our colleagues at work not only lightens our load, but also empowers us to focus on what really matters.

As leaders, it is our responsibility to recognize the unique challenges women face in our organizations. We cannot just acknowledge these struggles; we need to create environments that truly support and uplift women. Mental well-being is essential. Here are five forward-thinking strategies leaders can implement to promote women’s mental health and well-being in the workplace.

• Integrating mental health into policies and practices: Mental health should be explicitly mentioned in organizational policies and incorporated into daily practices. This includes offering generous paid time off, flexible work hours and promoting healthy communication norms. Regular pulse surveys can be used to measure the engagement, retention and mental health dimensions of female employees, making it clear that the organization prioritizes women’s mental well-being.
• Develop organizational support groups: Creating women-led support groups or resource groups for mental health employees can be incredibly powerful. These groups provide safe spaces for women to share their experiences, challenges and successes. Knowing that you are not alone and that others understand your struggles fosters a sense of community and connection that is vital to mental well-being. These groups not only provide emotional support, but also create networks that can help women navigate the complexities of their professional and personal lives.
• Prioritize flexibility in the workplace: Flexibility is crucial to supporting women’s mental health. Whether it’s remote work, flexible hours, or the ability to take time off for personal issues, leaders should build as much flexibility into policies and practices as possible. It’s also important for leaders to model these behaviors themselves, demonstrating that it’s okay to prioritize self-care and set boundaries. When women see that their leaders value work-life balance, they are more likely to do the same, reducing stress and preventing burnout.
• Effectively communicate the availability of resources: Even when mental health resources are available, many employees may not be aware of them. Leaders, especially women, should actively communicate the availability of these resources and share their own experiences to encourage others to seek help without fear of stigma. Whether it’s through newsletters, team meetings or one-on-one conversations, ensuring all employees are aware of the support available is essential to fostering a culture of well-being.
• Encourage boundary setting and disconnection: Promoting the importance of boundary setting and disconnection in the workplace is essential for mental health. Leaders can encourage practices such as not checking email after work hours, prioritizing important tasks, and silencing work-related messages during personal hours. Some companies have even implemented policies that restrict work-related communication after hours to help employees fully disconnect and recharge.

Mental wellbeing in the workplace won’t happen overnight, but by collectively embracing mental health as a core business priority, we can create a better work culture – and a more inclusive economy – for everyone. When leaders take the time to understand and address the unique challenges women face, they create a more supportive workplace where women can thrive in all aspects of their lives.

This article is written by Ritika Arora, Co-Founder and COO, Manah Wellness.