COVID-19 pushed the topic of mental health out of the shadows. Simone Biles, America’s most decorated gymnast, is now shining an Olympic-sized spotlight on an issue that, directly or indirectly, touches everyone. Biles withdrew from the Olympic women’s gymnastics team final and all-around competitions citing mental health concerns, joining other well-recognized and well-respected athletes, including tennis great Naomi Osaka, in choosing mental health over broken records, cheering crowds, gold medals, and first-place trophies.
What we see at the Olympics is being mirrored in conference rooms and offices nationwide. Dubbed the “great resignation,” employees are choosing to put their mental health and well-being first. Prudential Financial’s “Pulse of the American Worker Survey” estimates one in four workers is planning to look for a new job once the pandemic has subsided.
