In honor of Mental Health Awareness month this May, we asked several of our Firm of the Future authors for feedback on the resources they offer in their firms to employees who need guidance, assistance, or a refresh. Here's what they had to say.

Jonathan Bello, One 8 Solutions LLC

"As owner and founder, I lead by example and openly share my own mental health challenges. I frequently provide resources such as The Chemistry of Joy by Henry Emmons, M.D., for those who may benefit. In addition to encouraging open discussion, we offer flexible scheduling accommodations to prioritize total health. We emphasize that self-care takes precedence over work, whether it involves taking a break or seeking mental health assistance, which can be done through PTO or sick time."

Renee Daggett, AdminBooks

"AdminBooks is deeply committed to supporting the mental health and well-being of our team. Our firm offers a variety of resources and initiatives designed to foster a healthy work environment. Employees and their families have access to Marketplace Chaplains for confidential support. Our firm actively encourages regular breaks and time away from computer screens to help reduce stress. In addition, AdminBooks promotes physical health and camaraderie through team wellness challenges and monthly all-team "hang outs" that provide a fun and relaxed setting for team members to bond and unwind."

"Our leadership takes an active role in mental health by conducting weekly check-ins on stress levels and workloads, ensuring open communication about personal well-being. The firm also holds annual reviews where employees can express desires to adjust their roles, further enhancing job satisfaction. Occasional team trips are organized that strengthen team spirit and collective resilience, while offering a break from work and time to make lasting memories. Cross training is implemented to ensure smooth operations when team members need to take time off so that when life happens, there are no issues that can occur if you have to step away."

Al-Nesha Jones, CPA, MBA, ASE Group

"At ASE Group, we prioritize mental health because we believe that the well-being of our team is fundamental to our success. Recognizing the pressures of our deadline-driven industry, we strategically set and clearly communicate internal deadlines and boundaries well in advance to manage stress and prevent burnout. We maintain year-round communication with clients to avoid last-minute surprises that could turn into fires at the worst possible time."

"Our flexible work model includes remote work and a four-day work week, helping employees balance their personal and professional lives. We support our team with paid sick leave for all, including part-time employees, and mandate team-wide recharge breaks such as a paid week off during the holiday season. Every employee gets their birthday off as a paid holiday as well. In our weekly team meetings, we encourage open discussions about personal well-being, using a simple 1-10 scale to gauge and support each other's mental state. We believe this fosters a supportive and responsive work environment."

Dan Luthi, IgniteSpot Accounting

"Ignite Spot provides a comprehensive approach to support the mental health of our employees. We have a dedicated Community Committee that is integral to fostering a supportive atmosphere within our team. This committee organizes monthly virtual activities via the platform Confetti, offering a space for employees to interact and bond outside regular work hours, thus nurturing a sense of community and camaraderie. In addition, we emphasize the importance of work-life balance by ensuring that all employees regularly use their PTO. This strategy helps prevent burnout and ensures that our team members maintain a healthy balance between their professional and personal lives, contributing to their overall mental well-being."

Cassidy Jakovickas, CPA, MBS Accountancy

"Mental health is a critical topic, especially just after busy season when many of us leave our offices for the first time in 90 days. At MBS Accountancy, our goal is to have staff can stay productive without sacrificing their personal life, so we provide a hybrid work model that lets staff work remotely, in the office, or their preferred mix of the two locations."

"We also encourage staff to develop team activities that relate to their interests, such as a book clubs and fitness challenges. We recognize staff birthdays, work anniversaries, and other milestones for team members with “kudoboards” that let us share personalized notes, GIFs, and inside jokes about our work. This helps our team feel seen and connected, and helps cement our culture."

Susan Pruskin, Brilliant Numbers

"Sometimes you just need a day to relax and do absolutely nothing. Taking a vacation with your family will be a lot of fun, but it doesn't necessarily give you a lot of peace. We provide what I call Wellness Days. Everyone gets two per year. They are completely separate from PTO or holidays. Just pick a day and take care of yourself!"