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Mental health is now a boardroom issue—the companies that invest in it today will be the industry leaders of tomorrow. Yet, driving real change isn’t easy. HR and benefits leaders are facing impossible expectations—they must support employee well-being while managing costs, drive engagement while proving ROI, and lead with empathy while making tough business decisions.
At Tidal 2025, hundreds of HR, benefits, and mental health leaders came together to address these challenges head-on and learn from each other. With speakers from Adobe, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Delta, and more, attendees were left with actionable takeaways and relatable use cases to drive change at their organizations.
The event’s theme—being a Change Catalyst at work and in the world—was a call to action: How can we create workplaces that don’t just support mental health, but fundamentally transform it?
Over two days, we explored what it takes to turn insight into action—from making the business case for mental health to leveraging AI for personalized care to building cultures where employees thrive. One thing became clear: the future of workplace mental health will be shaped by the leaders who refuse to accept the status quo.
Here are the top takeaways from Tidal 2025—insights that can help you take the next step in creating a mentally healthier workplace and, ultimately, a mentally healthier world.
5 key takeaways from Tidal 2025
1. Mental health is no longer a cost—it’s a business strategy
For years, mental health benefits were framed as a cost-center, but leading companies are now positioning them as a strategic investment in workforce stability, retention, and productivity.
What’s changing?
- CFOs and finance leaders are prioritizing total cost of care and workforce risk reduction rather than just benefit utilization.
- HR teams must speak the language of finance—framing mental health investments in terms of ROI, risk mitigation, and workforce productivity gains.
- Companies that fail to invest in well-being will struggle with employee retention and engagement.
"Mental health is a megatrend. Companies that get ahead of it will outperform those that don’t." — Dipak Golechha, CFO, Palo Alto Networks
Tip: Reposition mental health benefits as risk management, not just employee wellness—CFOs respond to cost containment and productivity gains.
2. Frame mental health as a workforce productivity investment to secure CFO buy-in
Securing finance buy-in requires moving beyond cost and quantifying impact in areas that CFOs prioritize:
Key metrics that matter to finance:
- Retention & Turnover Savings – Employee churn costs 3x salary per lost employee. Reducing turnover is a direct cost-saving strategy.
- Productivity Impact – Employees receiving care report saving 5-7 hours per week in regained focus and engagement.
- Medical Cost Reduction – Mental health conditions drive higher chronic disease costs (e.g., diabetes, heart disease). Early intervention reduces long-term spend.
"Medical costs are rising no matter what. We may not stop that, but we can slow the acceleration with the right interventions." — Dipak Golechha, CFO, Palo Alto Networks
Tip: Reposition mental health. It’s not a cost, but an investment towards long-term financial impact, risk mitigation, and employee productivity.
3. Scaling global mental health requires localized strategies
Expanding benefits internationally is complex, but organizations that invest in culturally relevant, localized mental health programs will see higher engagement.
Global benefits best practices:
- Leverage local influencers – Employees are more likely to engage when mental health resources are championed by regional leadership and peers.
- Adapt communication strategies – While digital engagement works in the U.S., in-person activations (tabling, town halls, ERG partnerships) drive better adoption globally.
- Use AI to scale personalized care—AI-driven provider matching helps employees access the right support faster, across global markets.
Actionable insight:
Avoid a one-size-fits-all approach. Work with local HR leaders to tailor mental health solutions for each region.
4. AI is reshaping mental health support at scale
AI is not replacing therapists—it’s expanding access to the 87% of employees who don’t seek care.
How AI is transforming workplace mental health:
- AI-powered provider matching reduces wait times and ensures employees get the right care faster.
- AI can personalize mental health support globally by adapting recommendations based on regional and cultural nuances.
- Organizations can use AI to predict mental health risks and intervene before issues escalate.
"The companies that figure out how to use AI for mental health personalization at scale will set the new standard for care." — Dr. Phillip Corlett, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Yale University
Actionable insight:
Invest in AI-driven mental health solutions to improve access, speed to care, and regional personalization.
5. Leadership drives the success of workplace mental health programs
Senior leaders must embed mental health into company culture.
- Manager training is a force multiplier—managers have the same impact on employee well-being as life partners.
- Executives who share their mental health stories foster higher workforce engagement and benefit adoption.
- Employee-led storytelling is one of the most effective ways to reduce stigma and drive engagement.
Actionable insight:
- Train managers to recognize and support employee mental health needs.
- Encourage executives to share personal stories—this normalizes care-seeking and boosts program engagement.
The future of work depends on mental health
The companies that lead the next era of workforce well-being will be those that:
- Invest in strategic, scalable mental health programs
- Leverage AI for personalization and access
- Secure executive buy-in through data-driven impact
- Tailor benefits globally for long-term success
Mental health is no longer just an HR issue—it’s a C-suite priority that drives business resilience, retention, and productivity.
Get a glimpse into the future of workplace mental health. Our 2025 Workplace Mental Health Predictions Report breaks down key trends, offers deeper insights, and provides actionable strategies to support your employees.
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