A.C.T. Works Better: How to Infuse Good Mental Health into Your Culture
May 04, 2025
A.C.T. Works Better: How to Infuse Good Mental Health into Your Culture
Imagine walking into a team meeting where colleagues openly discuss their therapy sessions. The manager comfortably shares about her recent mental health day. An assistant promotes a company-provided emotional well-being resource.
Fantasy? Let's make it your reality.
In my Work Positive Podcast conversation with Ralph Kellogg, HR leader at Lutheran Family Services, he shared a powerful framework that transformed his organization's approach to mental health. It's the A.C.T. model—a practical roadmap to make good mental health a cornerstone of your positive work culture.
Why This Matters to You
All of us face the same question: How do you create a culture where mental health moves from discussed to delivered?
According to research from Harvard Business Review, companies with strong mental health support systems report 41% lower health-related costs, 62% fewer missed workdays, and 33% higher productivity.
But how do you get there? The A.C.T. framework provides the answer.
A - Acknowledgment
The first step is acknowledging that everyone struggles with mental health at some point. As Ralph explained, "Let's just be realistic about that and then what can we do to create safe spaces."
Acknowledgment means openly recognizing that mental health exists on a spectrum, everyone has mental health just like physical health, and team members bring their whole selves to work.
Lutheran Family Services offers four dedicated mental health days per year—even pet bereavement leave—acknowledging the real impact these events have on team members.
C - Compassionate Accountability
The "C"—compassionate accountability—balances empathy with performance expectations. Ralph noted, "How do you walk that line of 'Let me care for you' while honoring you, respecting your privacy, and removing judgment?"
It's about support without lowering standards.
Lutheran Family Services reframed "performance management" to "performance development"—a shift focusing on growth rather than punishment.
T - Transparency
The final component is transparency—creating an environment that encourages honest conversations about good mental health.
"We expect you to bring your authentic self," Ralph explains to new team members. This transparency goes both ways: leadership is honest about organizational challenges while team members safely express their struggles.
Your A.C.T. Challenge
Ready to transform your work culture with the A.C.T. framework? Here's your challenge:
- Acknowledge: Make one public statement this week acknowledging how good mental health works better.
- Compassionate Accountability: Ask a team member in your next one-to-one meeting, "How's your headspace today?" and actively listen.
- Transparency: Share one aspect of your own mental health journey with your team.
Taken from Dr. Joey's forthcoming new book, Good Mental Health Works Better: 6 Culture Strategies that Grow People and Profits.
What's your question about creating a positive work culture? Ask Dr. Joey here.
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