When I served our nation as a Navy SEAL, every team member knew their role and had the tools to succeed. Yet in Corporate America, our teams and employees are entering the workforce daily without the mental health support they need—and it’s costing us billions. 

With U.S. healthcare costs projected to increase by 9% in 2025, companies are under pressure to manage expenses while maintaining a productive workforce. Yet one of the most overlooked financial risks in today’s workplace is Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD)—a condition that quietly erodes productivity, increases absenteeism, and drives up healthcare costs.

Waiting to address mental health isn’t a strategy. It’s a liability.

Depression has an estimated economic impact of $325 billion annually in the U.S., with 61% stemming from lost workplace productivity. Yet, for years, businesses have treated mental health as a wellness initiative rather than a strategic priority—and conventional treatments often fall short, fueling short and long-term disability costs, disengagement, and costly employee turnover.

Businesses that proactively address mental health—rather than reacting to crises—can reduce costs, improve workforce performance, and improve employee retention. As the mental health crisis continues to grow, prioritizing effective treatment options will be critical for companies looking to sustain a healthy and engaged workforce. More importantly, these efforts can and will save lives.

The Hidden Cost of TRD in the Workplace

Despite its significant impact, TRD often goes unnoticed by employers until it begins affecting workforce performance and morale. Employees suffering from TRD experience fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and persistent disengagement, which can result in lower productivity and decreased team cohesion.

For employers, the consequences are clear. Untreated TRD leads to:

• Increased absenteeism – Employees with untreated depression are more likely to take frequent sick days or extended leave.
• Presenteeism – Workers may physically show up but lack the mental clarity or motivation to perform at their best.
• Higher turnover rates – Employees struggling with chronic mental health conditions often leave in search of better support, increasing hiring and training costs.

Despite these risks, many businesses are not equipped to address TRD effectively. Traditional mental health solutions, such as employee assistance programs (EAPs) and conventional antidepressants, although beneficial for many, fall short for these individuals whose depression does not respond to standard treatments. Employers who fail to address these limitations end up absorbing unnecessary financial losses, often without realizing the root cause.

A New Approach: Why Employers Must Invest in Evidence-Based Mental Health Solutions

The time for half-measures in workplace mental health is over. Just as we wouldn’t send troops into battle without proper equipment and training, we can’t expect employees to perform at their best without comprehensive mental health support. Success demands nothing less. Leaders with their eyes on the horizon are recognizing that what was once considered an employee benefit is a critical component of business strategy. Addressing mental health proactively can reduce costs, improve employee satisfaction, and boost overall performance.

Recent advancements in mental health treatment, such as Ketamine-Assisted Therapy (KAT), offer powerful solutions for individuals struggling with TRD. Unlike traditional antidepressants, which can take weeks or months to produce results, KAT has been shown to rapidly alleviate depressive symptoms and restore cognitive function, allowing employees to return to full productivity sooner. Through advanced diagnostics and clinician-guided protocols, these types of treatments can get to the root cause and bring healing to so many in need.

Employers that integrate innovative mental health treatments into their benefits strategy can expect:

• Lower healthcare costs – Early intervention reduces long-term medical expenses associated with untreated mental health conditions.
• Higher workforce engagement – Access to effective treatment options increases job satisfaction and workplace morale.
• Stronger employee retention – Companies that actively support mental health create a more attractive and sustainable work environment.

Studies have shown that for every dollar spent on mental health interventions, businesses see a return of up to four dollars through decreased absenteeism, improved productivity, and reduced healthcare costs. Yet, despite a 4x ROI, many companies remain hesitant to adopt new treatment models—often because they lack clear data to quantify that ROI.

Measuring the Impact: How Employers Can Make the Financial Case for Mental Health

For business leaders focused on data-driven decision-making, integrating mental health care into corporate strategy may feel like an uncertain investment. However, with the right tools, companies can quantify the financial benefits of prioritizing mental health.

Key strategies include:

• Tracking employee well-being metrics – Implementing regular wellness surveys and check-ins can provide data on workplace mental health trends and help measure the impact of interventions over time.
• Using cost-effectiveness modeling – Employers can analyze how early intervention reduces absenteeism, improves work output, and lowers turnover, translating these factors into measurable cost savings.
• Monitoring benefit utilization – Tracking employee engagement with mental health resources—such as therapy sessions or KAT—can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of different treatment approaches.

Companies that integrate these measurement tools into their overall business strategy will gain a clear, quantifiable picture of how mental health initiatives drive financial results.

Looking Ahead: A Business and Ethical Imperative

The SEALS have a saying: “Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.” And I’m here to tell you there is nothing smooth about watching our workforce struggle and crumble under the weight of untreated depression. This year, businesses will face the unique financial challenge of rising healthcare costs combined with an increasingly burned-out workforce. The good news is that these costs can be mitigated through early intervention and innovative treatment options.

Experience has taught me that ignoring a threat is always costly, and mental health is no longer an issue that businesses can afford to overlook. With the right investments in education, treatment, and long-term care strategies, employers have an opportunity to improve workplace well-being, boost retention, and ultimately enhance their bottom line. The time to act is now.