Most companies say they support mental health. Chad Sorenson believes that's not enough. Posters, policies, and Employee Assistance Programs don't matter if employees still don't feel safe asking for help.The biggest barrier to mental health at work isn't awareness. It's trust.
Mental health, leadership, psychological safety, EAP, workplace culture, employee well-being. This conversation explores how organizations can move beyond talking about mental health and start creating real support.
In this episode… Chad Sorenson explains why workplace mental health starts with leadership, how HR can remove the stigma around asking for help, and why authentic conversations matter more than awareness campaigns. Sharp discussion on EAPs, leadership vulnerability, employee well-being, psychological safety, and building healthier workplace cultures.
Key Takeaways :
Talking about mental health isn't enough. Chad says many organizations promote mental health resources but rarely train leaders to recognize when someone is struggling. Employees often don't know how to access their EAP or trust that it's truly confidential.
Leadership sets the tone. When leaders openly share their own mental health challenges or personal experiences, they make it easier for others to ask for help. Vulnerability from the top helps remove stigma across the organization.
Real conversations create psychological safety. Asking "How are you... really?" only works when leaders create space, listen without judgment, and build trust before the conversation begins. Authentic relationships matter more than perfect wording.
HR should equip leaders, not just employees. Managers don't need scripted responses. They need the confidence to start difficult conversations and create environments where people feel safe opening up.
Personal stories reduce stigma. Chad shares the loss of his 15-year-old son to suicide, while William Tincup discusses living with bipolar disorder. Their message is clear: honest conversations help others feel less alone and encourage people to seek support sooner.
A supportive culture can change lives. Mental health shouldn't only be discussed during awareness campaigns. Organizations that normalize conversations, educate leaders, and consistently reinforce available support create workplaces where employees are more likely to reach out before a crisis occurs.
This episode was recorded live at SHRM Annual 2026
The Heroes of HR podcast is a limited series sponsored by isolved. isolved is an HCM platform that modernizes HR, benefits, and payroll across Healthcare, Hospitality, Manufacturing, and more.
Learn more about isolved: https://www.isolvedhcm.com/
Guest : Chad Sorenson
Founder and President of Adaptive HR Solutions, helping organizations build healthier workplace cultures through leadership development, HR consulting, and mental health advocacy rooted in lived experience.
LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/chadvsorenson/
The Heroes of HR Podcast is hosted by :
Amy Miller, Product Evangelist at isolved
Ryan Leary, Co-founder at WRKdefined LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/
William Tincup, Co-founder at WRKdefined LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/
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