Mental Health Is Corporate Health: Why Every Executive Needs A Healing Community (Forbes)
Published May, 2025
In this feature by Nell Derick Debevoise Dewey, Dr. Carylynn Kemp Larson is highlighted as a leading voice in reshaping how organizations approach mental health—shifting the focus from individual resources to collective, connection-driven culture. While companies continue to invest heavily in wellness programs, the article reveals a persistent gap between available support and real employee wellbeing, largely driven by stigma and a lack of trust.
Dr. Larson’s work centers on the concept of “healing communities,” where connection, psychological safety, and shared responsibility create environments in which people feel supported and empowered to seek help. Drawing on research in neuroscience and organizational behavior, the feature underscores how human connection is not a distraction from performance, but a critical driver of resilience, engagement, and long-term success.
Through her keynote and leadership frameworks, Dr. Larson provides practical guidance for leaders to move from a culture of survival to one of thriving—emphasizing vulnerability, intentional connection, and alignment between individual wellbeing and organizational impact. Ultimately, the article positions her work as a powerful model for organizations seeking to improve both human and business outcomes by placing community at the center of leadership.
Key Takeaways
Mental health investments alone are not enough.
Despite increased spending on wellness programs, many organizations still struggle to improve employee wellbeing.The gap is not resources—it’s trust and connection.
Stigma and lack of psychological safety prevent employees from using available support.Connection is a critical driver of performance.
Research shows that strong social bonds improve resilience, creativity, and overall workplace effectiveness.Healing communities are the future of workplace culture.
Environments built on trust, openness, and support enable both individual wellbeing and organizational success.Leaders play a central role in shaping culture.
Through everyday behaviors—vulnerability, listening, and presence—leaders create the conditions for connection.High performance and human-centered leadership go hand in hand.
Teams that feel supported and safe consistently outperform those that do not.Thriving requires a shift in leadership mindset.
Moving from “managing performance” to “cultivating connection” unlocks greater impact.Culture change starts with small, intentional actions.
When leaders model empathy and openness, it creates ripple effects across the organization.
Authored by Nell Derick Debevoise Dewey, Subtraction Activist | Harvard Psych + Horse Wisdom | Creator of Lead in 3D | Helping women who influence capital and culture to build success that feels as good as it looks