Never a better time to cultivate a work culture of well-being

Two years ago, most U.S. states were reporting widespread cases of COVID-19 for the first time – and mental-health conditions in the workplace changed forever.

Loneliness from remote work.  Burnout from heavier workloads stemming from labor shortages.  Anxiety about COVID restrictions.  Stresses about child care. Such strains have aggravated social inequities and heightened the pressure on employee mental health.

In turn, writers on psychological topics said the pandemic was giving rise to a mental-health disorder of its own: COVID response stress disorder (CRSD). 

Since then, employers have grappled with sagging rates of productivity, safety, attendance and retention – and witnessed the Great Resignation.

Evidence-based mental-health treatment has leaped forward in recent decades.  Likewise, with growing demand for employee mental-health support, employers are seeking opportunities to refine their policies and programs, workplace interventions, and communications about once-taboo topics.  Most corporate leaders understand that safe, supportive workplaces raise employee wellness, loyalty and productivity.  Yet, they may lack guiding principles, know-how or terminology to set a new course.

I say it’s time for employers to take a pause – hence our company name.  In Japanese, “ma” means to pause to reflect. 

I am Bettina Davis, founder and CEO of ma company, a new boutique training company based in Oregon.  After an extensive career as an international corporate executive focused on human resources, I have pivoted to building a company that stages training, discussion and consultation to uplift companies’ thinking and practices and better address employees’ rising mental-health needs. 

I have brought together a multi-disciplinary team poised to help companies develop workplaces that are proactive, responsive and literate on mental health.  We deliver industry-recognized training on mental health in the workplace and customized workshops for companies revising their approach to it.

As first steps, we hope that you read this inaugural edition of our newsletter, Mind the Mind: Managing Mental Health at Work, and send it along to your professional network.  We also look forward to partnering with your company.

— Bettina