Caring for others is at the heart of Heartspring, especially when it comes to their own team members. That’s why they launched a comprehensive mental health initiative that has transformed the culture of the organization, earning them a 2025 Working Well Award from the Health & Wellness Coalition.

Accessible Mental Health Care

Recognizing the need for mental health care, Heartspring made the decision to fully cover all mental health services through their employee health plan. With this, every employee and their covered dependents can access critical support without financial barriers.

In addition to expanded coverage, Heartspring also enhanced their Employee Assistance Program (EAP), eliminating wait times and making support more immediately available when employees, and anyone residing in their household, need it most. 

“Eliminating the financial and logistical barriers to accessing care allows our employees to prioritize their wellbeing,” said Makala Navarro, Chief People Officer at Heartspring. 

Utilizing critical incident debriefings, mandatory referrals in times of crisis, and providing multiple avenues of wellbeing education has solidified commitments to holistic wellbeing.

Heartspring also launched an Employee Wellness Communication Board where employees can access articles, notifications about support group meetings, and other valuable information contributed by colleagues across the organization.

“This shared space makes mental health a normal topic of conversation,” Navarro said. “It’s fostering peer support and building a culture of trust, inclusivity, and wellbeing across the organization.”

As an organization that provides care, education, and therapies for children with neurodevelopmental disorders the day-to-day work can be challenging. Staff are trained from day one to ‘tap out’ when they need a break, no questions asked. That ability to step away, take a beat, then step back in is encouraged as it keeps programs flowing. 

Wellness You Can Measure

Heartspring’s efforts have created a workplace culture where mental wellbeing is actively supported. The results so far speak for themselves.

  • In 2024, employees and their dependents accessed nearly 900 mental health care appointments, representing $200,000 in fully covered care.  
  • Employees have reported feeling more support, less stress and being better equipped to handle challenges both on and off the job.  
  • In turn, reduced burnout has fostered stronger team collaboration as well as boosted morale and productivity across departments.

By embedding mental health care into daily operations and creating systems of sustained support, Heartspring has set an example for how organizations can lead with empathy and see results. 

Employees are more engaged, teams are more connected, and the workplace has become a safer, more inclusive environment where people feel seen and supported.

“Our employees know that when they need help, it’s there. No questions, no waiting, no stigma,” Navarro said.

Read the 2025 Working Well Conference Recap