Burnout Doesn’t Take a Summer Break: How to Support Employee Mental Health Now

Summer may bring longer days and lighter schedules, but for many employees, stress and burnout don’t slow down with the seasons. In fact, mid-year can be a critical time when workloads intensify, goals get reevaluated, and teams feel the pressure of staying productive through vacations, deadlines, and operational shifts.

At Health Compass Inc., we know that mental health support is not seasonal—it’s essential all year long. That’s why our solution, Vital110, gives employees access to free mental health care and wellness tools that help prevent burnout before it becomes a business-wide problem.

The Summer Burnout Myth

It’s easy to assume that employees are more relaxed during the summer, but studies show that many professionals actually experience higher stress during this time of year. Why?

• Workload distribution increases when teammates take time off
• Parents face additional demands balancing childcare and work
• Mid-year reviews and KPIs create added performance pressure
• There’s often a “push to catch up” before Q3 begins

These factors, combined with the misconception that summer should be easier, can lead to emotional exhaustion and disengagement.

What Burnout Really Costs Your Business

Unchecked burnout doesn’t just hurt individual employees—it impacts your entire organization. Companies dealing with burnout typically face:

• Increased absenteeism and sick leave
• Higher turnover and recruitment costs
• Reduced productivity and missed deadlines
• Greater healthcare claims related to stress-related conditions

Replacing a burned-out employee can cost 50%–200% of their annual salary. Proactively supporting mental health is not just compassionate—it’s financially smart.

How Vital110 Addresses Burnout

Vital110 was built to give employees easy, no-cost access to the tools they need to manage stress, anxiety, and emotional well-being throughout the year.

Vital110 includes:

• Free virtual counseling and mental health resources
• Flexible access to care without copays or referrals
• Wellness assessments to detect burnout early
• Guided navigation to appropriate support options

When employees can seek help early—without cost barriers or stigma—they’re more likely to stay healthy, focused, and engaged.

Signs Your Team May Be Burning Out

It’s important to recognize the red flags. Common indicators of burnout include:

• Increased irritability or withdrawal
• Declining performance or missed deadlines
• Frequent sick days or unexplained absences
• Low morale or disengagement during meetings

If you’re noticing these trends across your team, now is the time to act—not in Q4 when stress levels are even higher.

How Employers Can Take Action Today

Even simple shifts can make a big impact:

• Encourage employees to take time off—and truly disconnect
• Normalize mental health conversations in the workplace
• Offer flexible work options where possible
• Provide access to resources like Vital110 that offer real support

Support Doesn’t Take a Vacation

Burnout won’t resolve itself—and it doesn’t take the summer off. Employers that take mental health seriously create workplaces where employees thrive, not just survive. With Vital110, you can give your team the year-round support they need to stay healthy, focused, and motivated.

Get a quote today and learn how Vital110 can help your business support mental wellness and prevent burnout before it starts.