Mental health is not just an issue that affects personal lives and relationships—it’s also an essential topic in professional spaces. At the forefront of addressing this challenge is the Florida Chamber Leadership Cabinet on Safety, Health, and Sustainability, which brings together national leaders on its advisory board to support its mission. The Leadership Cabinet houses three councils, including the Florida Chamber Health Council, which focuses on mental health. Together, these efforts drive initiatives that foster a healthier, safer, and more sustainable Florida. 

The Florida Chamber believes that a healthy workforce is Florida’s most valuable resource, and mental health is a key part of that, said Katie Yeutter, who is the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, and President of the Florida Chamber Leadership Cabinet on Safety, Health and Sustainability. 

“Our commitment to mental health is deeply connected to our Florida 2030 Blueprint, which identifies mental health as essential to achieving sustainable economic growth and community well-being,” Yeutter said. “Florida’s workforce of 3.5 million businesses employs over 10.7 million people, providing health insurance to more than half of nonelderly Floridians and two out of every five children in our state. When employees face mental health challenges, such as anxiety and depression, with limited access to care, they are unable to show up to work fully focused and productive. This reality directly impacts the vitality of our workforce and the ability to meet our Blueprint goals.” 

Guided by this vision, Dr. Jeff Kuhlman, Chief Quality and Safety Officer at AdventHealth and Chair of the Florida Chamber Health Council, leads the council’s efforts to address both immediate mental health needs and long-term systemic challenges. His leadership plays a pivotal role in guiding the strategies outlined in the council’s initiatives. 

To address the challenges facing Floridians, the Florida Chamber Health Council created the nation’s first business-led mental health research report, titled, “Making Florida the National Leader for Mental Health & Well-Being.” 

“This report is not just static research—it’s a call to action, equipping business and community leaders with 25 actionable strategies that leverage data, training and best practices to drive systemic change,” Yeutter said. 

“These recommendations empower businesses to lead in mental health innovation and well-being, fostering resilient workplaces and communities,” said Dr. Nick Dewan, Vice President of Behavioral Health for GuideWell and Florida Blue. 

Central to these recommendations is the understanding that individuals cannot achieve great health outcomes without great mental health outcomes. This initiative, led by the Florida Chamber Health Council and our roundtable partners, unites business leaders, mental health experts, and policymakers to address these issues head-on, ensuring a sustainable workforce and stronger communities across Florida. 

The Chamber’s strategy is organized into three key domains: Employer-Facing Recommendations (EFR), which empower Florida businesses with tools to support employee mental health directly; Outcome-Driven Recommendations (ODR), which aim to achieve sustainable, measurable outcomes in mental health across Florida; and Domain-Specific Recommendations (DSR), which provide targeted strategies to address specific areas such as workforce development, early detection programs in youth settings, public health system modernization, and tailored support for veterans and first responders.  
“The Florida Chamber Health Council’s work serves as an incubator of health research, training and practical tools that support immediate action, while laying a foundation for sustained mental well-being across Florida,” Yeutter said.” 

The goal is for Florida to be among the top five states for well-being by 2030, with fewer mental health crises, increased workplace productivity and expanded access to mental health services.  

“For Volusia—and all Florida communities—our hope is to foster environments where mental health resources are accessible, employees flourish and community well-being is visibly enhanced,” Yeutter said. “In Volusia, where mental health-related hospitalizations and emergency visits are higher than average, this initiative seeks to reduce disparities, improve workforce resilience, and elevate public safety.”