Article February 23, 2026

Supporting employee mental health through times of stress

By Pamela Osborne, LCSW, Senior Manager, EAP Clinical Operations | Health Advocate

As we approach the end of winter, employees nationwide are navigating seasonal transitions alongside unpredictable weather, ongoing uncertainty, and a steady stream of stressful current events. Combined with work demands and personal responsibilities, these pressures can affect energy, focus, and overall well-being.

Seasonal change often brings mixed emotions. For some, longer days signal renewed motivation. For others, lingering winter fatigue, disrupted routines, or weather-related stress can contribute to anxiety, burnout, or emotional strain. Many employees are balancing professional responsibilities with concerns about family, finances, and broader community challenges.

Beyond symptoms: Embracing whole-person well-being

This time of year is an opportunity for employers to reinforce whole-person support that addresses mental health alongside physical, emotional, financial, and social well-being. Mental health care should feel accessible, flexible, and relevant to employees’ real-life experiences, and today’s workforce expects more than a one-size-fits-all solution or an EAP phone number tucked away on a poster.

This means moving from reactive support to proactive, inclusive engagement. Employers that lead most effectively during periods of heightened stress remove stigma, communicate clearly, and offer care that is easy to access, culturally responsive, and relevant to the realities employees are facing both inside and outside of work.

Reducing barriers to care through choice and innovation

Periods of challenge or uncertainty underscore a simple truth: a single approach to mental health support doesn’t work for every employee or every situation. Leading employers are expanding access by offering multiple pathways to care, including:

Virtual therapy with faster access. Employees can connect with licensed counselors from the privacy and comfort of home, often within 48 hours. This ensures that help is available when they need it most, without long waits or logistical barriers.
Culturally responsive care models. Inclusive care, delivered in an employee’s preferred language and aligned with their lived experiences, fosters trust, connection, and better outcomes.
Digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (dCBT). Ideally embedded in member portals and mobile apps, dCBT offers self-guided, evidence-based support for managing anxiety, depression, and stress, ideal for employees who prefer a private, flexible approach.
Coaching and well-being guidance. Certified coaches can help employees build healthier routines, manage stress, and prevent burnout. This lighter-touch approach can serve as both a preventive step and a complement to clinical care.
Peer-to-peer and community-based options. Sometimes, the most powerful support comes from someone else who understands. Peer connection platforms can offer relatable, judgment-free spaces for employees to share and learn from each other.

When support is proactive and simple to access, employees are more likely to take the first step, whether that’s connecting with a counselor, exploring a digital tool, or speaking with a coach.

As we look ahead to spring and the months beyond, now is the time to lead with empathy and flexibility. Supporting whole-person well-being helps employees adapt to seasonal change, manage uncertainty, and stay focused, both at work and at home.

Let’s build a program that works for your people.

Health Advocate partners with organizations of all sizes to deliver customized mental health and well-being solutions. From virtual therapy and coaching to person-centered support and digital tools, we’ll help you meet the unique needs of your workforce, wherever and however they need support.