May marks Mental Health Awareness Month. While mental health should always be a priority, this month offers a timely reminder—especially for industries like staffing and recruiting, where the pressure to deliver results, meet metrics, and maintain strong client and candidate relationships can take a toll.
The High-Stress Reality of Staffing and Recruiting
Recruiters are often balancing the needs of multiple clients and candidates, working long hours, and navigating constant changes in job markets. Add in high performance expectations and fast-paced environments, and it’s easy to see why burnout, stress, and anxiety can be common in this line of work.
How Staffing Leaders Can Support Mental Health
Leaders can play a major role in promoting mental wellness. Here are a few actionable steps:
- Open Conversations: Normalize discussions around stress and mental health within your team.
- Flexible Scheduling: Allow for work-life balance with remote options or mental health days.
- Access to Support: Offer resources like EAPs (Employee Assistance Programs), mental health coverage, or access to wellness apps.
- Workload Management: Watch for signs of burnout and ensure workloads are realistic.
Recruiters as Advocates for Candidate Wellbeing
Recruiters are also in a unique position to support candidates. From helping reduce the anxiety of the job search to coaching them through tough interview processes, simple empathy and open communication can make a big difference. Encouraging transparency about mental health needs—when appropriate—can also help place candidates in roles where they’ll thrive.
Resources for Mental Health Support
If you or someone you know is struggling, know that help is available. Here are a few trusted mental health resources:
- Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): Many employers partner with the EAP Association—check if your company offers services through EAPA for free, confidential counseling.
- Peer Support Communities
- LinkedIn Groups: Search “Recruiter Mental Health” or “Staffing Self-Care Club”
- Professional Counseling & Therapy
- BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com/
- Talkspace: https://www.talkspace.com/
- Open Path Collective (sliding-scale): https://openpathcollective.org/
- Mindfulness & Stress-Busting Apps
- Headspace: https://www.headspace.com/
Calm: https://www.calm.com/
Insight Timer: https://insighttimer.com/
- Headspace: https://www.headspace.com/
- Self-Care Podcasts & Webinars
- WorkLife with Adam Grant: https://www.ted.com/podcasts/worklife
- Daily Micro-Break Tools
- Forest Pomodoro Timer: https://www.forestapp.cc/
- TomatoTimer: https://tomato-timer.com/
- Crisis & Helplines (U.S.)
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: dial 988 or visit https://988lifeline.org/
SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: dial 988 or visit https://988lifeline.org/
- Industry-Specific Burnout Resources
- NAMI Workplace Resource Center: https://www.nami.org/your-journey/workplace
- SHRM Well-Being Resources: https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/topics/mental-health
- Books & Quick Reads
- Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily + Amelia Nagoski — https://www.amazon.com/dp/1984817067
- Atomic Habits by James Clear — https://www.amazon.com/dp/0735211299
Encourage your team to take advantage of EAPs, mental health days, or simply a supportive conversation when needed. And pro tip, block out “No-Response” time in your calendar—no emails, no calls, just a breather and maybe your favorite tune. You deserve it.
