In the race to build performance-driven organisations, we often overlook the one resource no business can function without: the mental wellbeing of its people.
We audit our finances, stress-test our systems, and forecast growth. But too often, we ignore what’s harder to measure but easier to lose: peace of mind.
The truth is, no business is immune to the cost of burnout, presenteeism, and stress-related illness. These are not just HR issues, they are boardroom issues and they are bleeding the bottom line.
Mental wellness is not a soft skill. It is a strategic asset.
The World Health Organisation estimates that anxiety and depression cost the global economy over $ 1 trillion in lost productivity each year. And here at home, the Kenya Mental Health Policy 2021–2030 estimates that one in four Kenyans will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime, yet most will go untreated due to stigma, lack of access, or economic barriers.
What many leaders fail to see is that performance pressure without psychological safety is a silent liability. Teams may deliver but at what cost? Innovation suffers. Loyalty erodes. Energy drains. And then, the numbers begin to reflect it.
Change begins at the top. If leadership doesn’t model vulnerability, wellness will remain a memo, not a movement. When leaders normalise mental health conversations, invest in psychological support, and create breathing space in high-performance cultures, the ripple effects are transformative.
Wellness must shift from a once-a-year talk to an everyday practice embedded in how we lead, how we build policies, how we reward, and how we care.
This is a call to action
To business leaders: the health of your company depends on the health of your people. Start measuring wellbeing the same way you track sales because the two are connected.
To professionals and working parents alike: your mental health is not an afterthought. It is your anchor. Prioritise it.
To the healthcare ecosystem: it’s time we designed solutions around people’s real needs accessible, affordable, and stigma-free.
The future of work and business will belong to companies that take wellness seriously. Not as a perk. But as a principle. Not as a trend. But as a truth.
It’s time we invested in the minds behind our metrics.
