Mental Health at Work: Fostering Purpose and Psychological Safety in Teams

May is Mental Health Awareness Month — a time for workplaces that normally coincides with performance reviews, but also a perfect time to reflect not only on performance but also on the overall well-being of people. Having “caring conversations” and “performance conversations” should be frequent and not only when there is an issue. As demands and expectations continue to grow in today’s fast-paced environment, it becomes increasingly important for teams to step back and recalibrate with intentionality and care. Setting purposeful, psychologically safe team goals can play a significant role in supporting mental health, strengthening team resilience, and enhancing overall team and company performance.

This month presents a timely opportunity to ask key questions:

• What are we doing well already?

• Where can we grow, not just in terms of output, but in creating a supportive and sustainable work culture?

These reflections offer the foundation for resetting team direction, aligning around shared purpose, and fostering psychological safety in teams; an often overlooked but critical factor in mental well-being.

The Role of Purposeful Goals in Mental Health

Creating Meaningful Connections to Work
Purposeful goals are not only about meeting business objectives. They speak to a deeper sense of meaning and alignment. When goals reflect individual values and an organization’s broader mission, they create a stronger sense of connection and belonging. This sense of purpose fosters ownership, commitment, and psychological well-being.

Increasing Motivation Through Purpose
Understanding how one’s role contributes to a larger purpose significantly increases intrinsic motivation. This is particularly relevant for younger generations, who increasingly seek meaningful work over monetary rewards alone. Numerous studies demonstrate that meaningful work leads to higher engagement, job satisfaction and overall productivity.

Improving Morale and Retention
When team members find personal relevance in their goals, they are more likely to feel satisfied in their roles and morale increases. This alignment not only increases morale and how people show up at work, but also reduces turnover, contributing to a healthier and more stable team environment.

Aligning Values for Greater Well-being
Goals that resonate with personal values promote harmony between an individual’s inner motivation and external tasks. This congruence enhances both engagement and emotional well-being.

Psychological Safety as a Foundation for Mental Wellness

Defining Psychological Safety
Psychological Safety, as introduced by Dr. Amy Edmondson of Harvard Business School in 1999, refers to a work environment where individuals feel safe to voice opinions, ask questions, admit mistakes, and share ideas without fear of judgment or retribution. It is essential for fostering innovation, collaboration, and well-being.

Supporting Mental Health through Open Dialogue
A psychologically safe team encourages members to speak openly, including being vulnerable about the challenges they face. This openness supports early interventions, reduces isolation, and fosters a supportive and inclusive workplace culture.

Enhancing Resilience through Trust
Trust is a critical component of psychological safety. A 2017 study by the University of Massachusetts found that psychological safety significantly contributes to stronger, more adaptable teams. Trust is one of the foundations of Team Psychological Safety allowing teams to be more open, transparent, recover from setbacks more effectively and manage stress with greater confidence.

Practical Strategies to Promote Mental Health through Goal Setting

Building a culture that prioritizes mental health involves more than offering time off or wellness programs. It requires intentional design of processes and goals that reflect human needs as well as business outcomes.

Inclusive Goal Setting
Involving team members in setting goals ensures they are relevant, meaningful, and aligned with personal values. We recommend SMART Goals setting (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timebound). This fosters commitment and engagement from the start.

Regular Check-ins and Adjustments
Goals should remain dynamic, with regular opportunities for teams to reflect, share feedback, and adjust based on evolving needs or circumstances.

Recognition and Celebration of Progress
Acknowledging both small and significant milestones fosters a sense of accomplishment and strengthens team morale. Recognition also reinforces positive behaviors and creates a more uplifting work environment.

Providing Support and Resources
Ensure that individuals and teams have access to the tools, training, and time required to achieve their goals while maintaining their mental well-being.

Strengthening Psychological Safety with the FELIZ TPS Certification Program and Workshops

FELIZ Consulting is proud to partner with TEAM.AS.ONE, a program founded by Dr. Peter Cauwelier and grounded in the work of Amy Edmondson. The Team Psychological Safety (TPS) certification focuses on measuring and increasing the seven elements and five foundations that constitutes psychological safety within teams using practical, research-backed tools.

This program includes an anonymous team survey and assessment that integrates action learning to address real-time challenges. It helps teams build trust, communication, and mindset necessary for a sustained collaboration and high performance.

We are proud to share that our CEO, Mônica Zionede Hall, is the first and only accredited Master Facilitator in Hong Kong and China for the TPS Certification Program. She delivers both public and customized (in house) workshops to support organizations in building healthier, more resilient and higher performing teams.

A Call to Action for Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental Health Awareness Month serves as a timely reminder that the success of a team should not be measured solely by results, but also by the well-being and fulfillment of its members.

Purposeful goals enhance engagement, satisfaction, and retention. Psychological safety enables honest conversations, learning, and growth. Together, they form a powerful foundation for both individual and team success.

Do you like what you read? Would you like to learn more about the TPS Certification or explore how FELIZ Consulting can help your team create or enhance a culture of purpose and psychological safety? Please get in touch! We would love to hear from you.

References:

Grant, A. M. (2012). Leading with Meaning: Beneficiary Contact, Prosocial Impact, and the Performance Effects of Transformational Leadership. Academy of Management Journal.

Amabile, T., & Kramer, S. J. (2011). The Power of Small Wins. Harvard Business Review.

Deloitte (2014). Culture of Purpose Building Business Confidence; Driving Growth. Deloitte University Press.

Edmondson, A. (1999). Psychological Safety and Learning Behavior in Work Teams. Administrative Science Quarterly.

Duhigg, C. (2016). What Google Learned From Its Quest to Build the Perfect Team. The New York Times

University of Massachusetts (2017). Trust In The Workplace.

Gallup (2017). State of the Global Workplace.

World Health Organization (2019). Mental Health in the Workplace.

Bersin, J. (2012). Making Recognition and Rewards Matter. Bersin by Deloitte.
https://researchoutreach.org/articles/building-high-performance-teams-team-psychological-safety