Beyond Buzzwords: Why Regular Mental Health Check-Ins Are Essential for a Thriving Team Culture—On the Field and in the Office

The Business and Athletic Case: Why It’s Not Just “Soft”

1. Enhanced Performance and Mental Resilience

Workplace mental health strategy and sports performance have a common goal: sustainable excellence.

• Reduce burnout and presenteeism with proactive support.

• Improve focus and mental clarity, leading to better decision-making under pressure.

• Enhance creativity and adaptability, crucial for innovation and game-time flexibility.

🧠 Employees who feel mentally supported are 23% more likely to perform at a high level (Gallup, 2023).

2. Talent Retention and Cultural Consistency

• Regular check-ins increase employee loyalty and athlete commitment.

• They reduce costly turnover by showing people they are valued and supported.

• They preserve institutional knowledge and team cohesion.

3. Boost in Team Chemistry and Psychological Safety

• Emotional check-ins at work or practice strengthen trust and empathy.

• They reduce team conflict and create space for honest communication.

• A culture of psychological safety empowers people to share, take risks, and grow.

4. Employer and Program Reputation

• Athlete mental health check-ins show that your program values the whole person.

• Mental wellness cultures attract top performers in all sectors.

• This builds your reputation as an employer or coach of choice.

The Human Case: Mental Health Support for Employees and Athletes

1. Early Detection and Support

Just as athletes stretch to prevent injury, regular check-ins catch mental strain early. This leads to early intervention and reduces long-term mental health risks.

2. Reducing Mental Health Stigma in Teams

• Normalize conversations about mental wellness.

• Athletes and employees alike benefit from knowing mental health isn’t taboo.

3. Increased Belonging and Connection

Regular mental health check-ins send a clear message: you matter. That sense of being seen and heard boosts morale and overall job satisfaction.

4. Building Mental Toughness and Coping Tools

• Check-ins reinforce resilience, much like strength training builds physical capacity.

• They help teams bounce back from setbacks and adapt with confidence.

5. Healthy Work-Life Integration

Today’s professionals and athletes blur the lines between personal and work life. Mental health support for employees is crucial in helping people manage both spheres with more balance.

Practical Implementation: Building a Mental Health Strategy

What Mental Health Check-Ins Are (and Aren’t)

They are:

• Brief, informal, intentional

• Focused on listening, not fixing

• A key part of your team wellness strategy

They are not:

• Therapy

• Performance evaluations

• Mandatory disclosures

Core Check-In Principles

• Consistency: Weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly emotional check-ins.

• Privacy: Confidentiality builds trust.

• Active listening: Be present and non-judgmental.

• Provide resources: Be ready with mental health support options.

• Know your role: Support and refer—don’t diagnose.

Effective Formats for Mental Health Check-Ins

• One-on-one emotional check-ins: Great for depth and safety.

• Team-wide mood meters or energy checks: Useful for fostering awareness.

• Pulse surveys: Anonymous feedback to monitor emotional climate.

Train Coaches and Managers

• Teach empathy and listening skills

• Train on recognizing signs of mental health distress

• Emphasize boundaries and resource referral

📣 Athletic leaders and team managers are the first line of support. Their training is essential in creating a strong mental health culture.

Common Objections and How to Respond

❌ “We don’t have time.”

✅ Mental health check-ins prevent bigger problems that cost more time and money later.

❌ “We’re not therapists.”

✅ You’re not expected to be—just lead with care and connect people to the right resources.

❌ “What if people don’t want to share?”

✅ Normalize over time. Keep it voluntary and lead by example.

❌ “It’s too personal for the workplace.”

✅ If someone’s mental health affects their performance, it’s already impacting your workplace.

❌ “Our managers don’t know how”

✅ That’s fixable. Invest in mental health training for managers and coaches.

Make Mental Health a Team Standard

Whether you lead in the workplace or athletics, one truth holds: performance begins with well-being.

Mental health check-ins are not extra—they’re essential. They promote productivity, reduce burnout, strengthen culture, and most importantly, show your people that they are more than what they produce.

Start small. Stay consistent. And lead the culture shift your team needs.

“Culture eats strategy for breakfast—and mental health is the culture.”