MindForward Alliance’s Anastasia Vinnikova said:

‘BNY’s approach to leadership, which includes advocating for mental health both internally and externally, has made them a model for creating an open and psychologically safe workplace.’

Despite many companies working to build supportive and open cultures, employees can still feel hesitant about sharing their own mental health challenges at work.

BNY recognised that in order to change this, the senior leadership team needed to set the tone by actively promoting openness around mental health and being transparent about their own mental health challenges. 

HEART: A pathway to greater openness and inclusivity

BNY’s HEART employee and business resource group supports mental health and celebrates diverse abilities, both within the company and beyond. HEART raises awareness of disabilities and helps fosters a safe, respectful, and welcoming environment where all employees can feel included, valued, and encouraged to contribute their unique skills and talent.

The network, along with Global Wellbeing, is the centrepiece of the company's mental health and diverse abilities advocacy.  The network's structure includes two global co-chairs, a Global Executive Sponsor (a member of BNY’s Executive Committee), and 10 senior leaders who serve as visible and outspoken advocates for mental health and diverse abilities at work.

Leadership in action

At BNY, commitment to mental health starts at the top and their Global Executive Sponsor provides strategic guidance and publicly promotes HEART's activities. Their involvement includes:

• Hosting global town halls and panel discussions focused on neurodiversity and mental wellbeing
• Reaching out to employees affected by global conflicts
• Fostering psychological safety
• Advocating for BNY’s signatory status to Neurodiversity in Business
• Collaborating with external organisations like MindForward Alliance and Disability:IN to challenge mental health stereotypes

Beyond the Executive Sponsor, other leaders have been openly sharing their own personal stories to encourage transparency and support for those facing mental health challenges. Many of them have struggled with their own mental health through their career, or supported family members who have faced challenges. 

In doing so, they have played an important role in empowering and encouraging others across the organisation to feel safe about opening up about their own experiences.

Conclusion

MindForward Alliance was particularly impressed by BNY’s focus on leadership in mental health advocacy, and their openness in helping to build a psychologically safe and inclusive culture. 

The company's commitment to leading by example, both internally and externally, has set a benchmark for promoting mental health awareness and helping to foster an environment where employees feel comfortable in sharing their stories. 

By encouraging vulnerability at the leadership level, BNY is leading the way in creating a more compassionate and inclusive workplace.