Mental Health Awareness Month
By Anmol Harjani
May is recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month, a time dedicated to increasing understanding, reducing stigma, and encouraging meaningful conversations around well-being. In the workplace, this also brings attention to the role communication plays in shaping how mental health is acknowledged, discussed, and supported.
For communication professionals, mental health is not a separate conversation. It is deeply connected to how information is shared, how expectations are set, and how organizational culture is communicated on a daily basis. The tone, clarity, and intent behind messaging can directly influence how employees feel, respond, and engage.
One of the most important shifts in recent years has been the move toward more human-centered communication. Employees are no longer looking for perfectly polished messaging. They are looking for clarity, transparency, and understanding. Communication that acknowledges challenges, provides context, and avoids unnecessary pressure contributes to a more supportive environment.
At the same time, over communication or poorly structured messaging can have the opposite effect. Constant updates, unclear priorities, or inconsistent messaging can create confusion and increase stress. Communication professionals must find the balance between keeping teams informed and ensuring that information is digestible and meaningful.
Leadership communication plays a key role here. Leaders who communicate with empathy, share context, and demonstrate awareness of employee well-being help set the tone for the organization. Communication teams often guide this process, ensuring that messaging is aligned, thoughtful, and consistent.
In the Canadian context, where conversations around mental health are increasingly open, organizations are expected to move beyond awareness and demonstrate genuine support. Communication must reflect this shift. It should not only inform, but also reassure and connect.
Mental Health Awareness Month serves as a reminder that communication is not just about delivering messages. It is about shaping experiences. And those experiences have a direct impact on how people feel at work.
Key Takeaways
• Use clear and intentional messaging to reduce uncertainty
• Incorporate empathy into communication tone and language
• Support leadership in communicating with awareness and care
• Avoid overwhelming audiences with excessive or unclear information
• Align communication practices with genuine well-being initiatives
Anmol Harjani is a Client Servicing Manager working with a remote company and a recent graduate of York University’s Public Relations and Communications program. She is especially interested in strategic communications, social media behaviour, and how PR practitioners adapt within a rapidly evolving digital landscape. She currently serves as the Communications Co-Chair on the CPRS Toronto Board.