Facilities managers in 2025 are dealing with overwhelming workloads and increasing responsibilities, plus budget constraints, according to a recent industry survey.
It’s often a high-stakes job that feels around the clock, and FMs have cited mental health as a top challenge. So, with facilities managers managing so much with fewer resources, how do they deal with their stress?
For Mental Health Awareness Month in May, Facilities Management Advisor received tips from Dr. Nick Bach, a psychologist specializing in working with people in high-stress environments, including facilities managers.
Dr. Bach believes in a proactive approach to self-care in facilities management because he’s worked with many professionals “who don’t even realize they’re burning out until it’s too late.”
Recognizing the signs that you or a colleague is experiencing burnout or mental health conditions like depression and anxiety is a key first step to seeking ways to manage or treat them.
The Pros and Cons of Navigating Mental Health Issues as an FM
“I look for subtle shifts in energy—when someone who’s usually proactive becomes reactive, when there’s less collaboration and more isolation, or when small frustrations seem to trigger bigger emotional responses. I think those are clear warning signs that emotional resilience is slipping,” said Dr. Bach.
Andrea Donaldson-Smith, an operations and strategy manager at Pareto Facilities Management Ltd., described her personal perspective of how her mental health plays into her role as an FM in a LinkedIn article. She wrote that managing her mental health since childhood gave her the transferable skills to excel in FM. “You have so many different responsibilities, managing a budget, a team, clients, stakeholders, your line manager, or mental health wise, your mood, your tone of voice, your energy, your family, friends, and your own negative thoughts,” she explained.
Donaldson-Smith said that with both mental health issues and FM, you can attack the problem head-on by working it out by yourself or with others facing the same problem, or you can “accept the fact that certain things are beyond your control and make peace with it.”
The Importance of Asking for Help
Donaldson-Smith argues that since FMs tend to be generalists, they will inevitably ask for support in areas where they are not experts. She reasons that FMs could benefit from using this approach and applying it to mental health when they are experiencing issues. “I do not believe in ‘fake it until you make it,’” she wrote.
According to the statistics, many people aren’t getting the help they need. For example, despite 1 in 10 men experiencing depression or anxiety, less than half receive treatment, according to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America.
What FM Leaders Can Do to Encourage Mental Health
Dr. Bach said that leaders can play an outsized role in normalizing mental health conversations with their team. He said, “I’ve seen how regular mental check-ins—just 10 minutes once a week—can change how supported a team feels.”
He recommends providing access to an Employee Assistance Program or having on-site wellness check-ins. “When team members know it’s okay to ask for help, they’re way more likely to seek it,” said Dr. Bach.
In a blog on the IFMA website, Shaun Levenson, vice president of the Center of Excellence for ESFM, wrote, “As facility managers, we know how safety standards and practices are fundamental to our work. We prioritize safe environments and ensuring physical well-being, but what about the mental health of our teams?”
He highlighted the need to bolster psychological safety, which helps people feel comfortable being themselves. Notably, a feeling of psychological safety may also increase the likelihood of sharing information about potential problems or near-misses without fear of punishment or humiliation.
Levenson recommended having multiple channels for workplace feedback, some of which are anonymous. Ideally, workplaces should address each comment provided and communicate how the comment is being considered by management to make FMs feel valued. Levenson said this could contribute to a positive culture change.
FMs can also boost their well-being by rethinking their physical environment, creating a stress-free workplace, and managing factors like temperature, lighting, seating, and noise levels. A blog by VLogic Systems, an integrated workspace management software and service provider, reasons that FMs are uniquely placed to make decisions more conducive to improved mental health. The company wrote, “Facility management teams have the tools and expertise to create spaces that are not only functional but also conducive to well-being. Imagine trying to concentrate in a room that’s too hot or with a noisy HVAC system overhead—these seemingly small issues can significantly increase stress levels. Facility managers can address these problems by optimizing systems to create more comfortable environments.”
On a more personal level, Donaldson-Smith’s advice for FMs dealing with mental health issues is to acknowledge your challenges, problem-solve ways to navigate or manage them, reach out for help, and be transparent with your problems or needs if you feel safe.
FM leaders can distribute mental health resources from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on managing stress and ways to get treatment and support. If you or someone you know is in a crisis, get help immediately. You can call 911 or call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
Ali Hickerson is a freelance journalist, content writer, and strategist based in Brooklyn, N.Y. Outside of Facilities Management Advisor, Ali’s recent bylines on health and workplace issues have crisscrossed the country and helped advocate for programs and policies that work to create a healthier, more humane, and equitable world.