Workplace policies that support mental health and create a culture of inclusion

Regardless of where an individual sits in the chart of Fig. 1, I’d like to ask that we all work together to come up with solutions to make the workplace less toxic and more supportive of positive mental health. I promise that doing so will create an environment that is more inclusive, meaning that those who have been traditionally marginalized by having mental illness (and especially those with intersecting identities in terms of race, gender, and so on) will be able to have a seat at the table. I’m not advocating for drastic changes in the workplace; small changes can go a long way toward promoting the good mental health of the members of an organization.
Note also that I am primarily speaking to the leadership of organizations. These individuals generally have the power to make changes to workplace policies and are generally responsible for resolving conflict. These individuals have a lot to gain by promoting positive mental health because a healthy workplace is more likely to be productive, innovative, and collaborative, meaning that the organization will thrive under these conditions.
The following recommendations are based largely on my personal experience as a faculty member at the University of Michigan. While my experience is limited to academia, you can see that my recommendations can apply to nearly any work environment.
By creating flexibility, the workplace automatically becomes more accommodating to people who are struggling with mental health, especially those with mental illness. This is because it allows these individuals to structure their work week around their optimal times for productivity. Many people don’t realize that people with mental illness often have to take medications that are sedating, or their sleep is regularly disrupted. Sometimes that hour saved on the commute can mean the difference between a good day and a bad day.