The 2026 global World Mental Health Day theme, “Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change,” calls attention to the importance of giving people with lived experience a meaningful voice in the decisions and support that affect them.

Listening has always been central to how we engage, both with our clients and with CGI Partners. We bring that same approach to well-being at CGI by listening to lived experiences, learning from what we hear and using those insights to strengthen the support we offer.

Listening to lived experiences

When it comes to mental well-being, the challenges people experience differ, as do the ways they seek support. Connection can be an important first step toward finding support. (Read the article: Stronger together to build what’s next: Advancing mental well-being through connection.)

Our Mental Health Ambassadors (MHA) network puts that principle into practice. Trained CGI Partners offer colleagues a confidential space to talk through what they’re facing and explore what support may be right for them. The network has grown to more than 675 MHAs across 18 countries, reflecting the value of peer connection across CGI.

For Darren Scarfe, a Mental Health Ambassador in the UK, sharing lived experiences can help people see that they are not alone:

“By sharing our struggles, we remind each other that hope still has a place. Even in the hardest moments, knowing that another person has faced similar challenges and found a way forward can make a real difference.”

 

These conversations also help make mental health easier to talk about. Mental Health Ambassadors are visible and approachable colleagues who can help normalize conversations around stress, vulnerability and mental health, while helping CGI Partners navigate the resources and professional support available to them.

Turning feedback into better mental health support

Listening matters most when it leads to outcomes.

At CGI, we combine what we hear through conversations and other feedback channels with quantitative insights. For instance, the Well-being Pulse Check helps us understand leaders’ own well-being and confidence in supporting teams. Our Partner Satisfaction Assessment Program (PSAP) provides a broader view of CGI Partner sentiment and satisfaction, while Voice of our Partners helps us understand how CGI Partners view our approach to health and well-being.

These insights shape both formal support and everyday ways of working. For example, feedback from CGI Partners has informed enhancements to the My Assistance Program (MAP) in Canada, where they can now choose a mental health professional based on preferences such as gender and cultural background. This makes it easier to find support that feels appropriate to the individual.

The feedback also allows us to identify emerging needs. Insights have contributed to changes such as expanded mental health benefits and resources addressing topics such as the impact of AI on mental health.

Our MHA network has demonstrated the value of lived experience. When people see others speaking openly about mental health, it can help make asking for support feel more natural.

As Cláudia Teles, a Mental Health Ambassador in Portugal, puts it:

“Talking openly about mental health is more important than ever. In the workplace, the stress and pressure we sometimes experience can lead us to question whether we are doing a good enough job, whether we are capable, or even whether we are the right person for the role. Being able to talk openly about these feelings can remind us that we are not alone, while helping to create a more supportive environment where people feel safe to ask for help when they need it.”

 

Building psychologically safe teams

Where and how people work shapes their well-being. This requires looking at factors such as workload, organizational change, management practices and the processes people deal with every day. We work with leaders to identify practical changes, such as streamlining processes and using digital tools, including using AI responsibly, to free up time for meaningful, high-value work.

Leaders also play an important role in fostering psychological safety. That means creating an environment where people can be themselves, raise concerns or share personal struggles without fear of judgment or negative repercussions. Across many regions, we have programs that equip leaders to recognize signs of strain, have compassionate conversations and connect CGI Partners with the right support.

Programs such as Managers on the Move in the U.S., Powerful and Authentic Conversations in the Netherlands, Change Leadership in Finland, and Responsible and Respectful Management in France help leaders build the skills to support their teams and manage workload sustainably.

At CGI, we see well-being as a shared responsibility. We encourage CGI Partners to prioritize their well-being and make full use of the resources and support available to thrive personally and professionally. We help set the foundation through policies, resources and ways of working that support mutual respect, clear boundaries and autonomy. Leaders bring that foundation to life through everyday behaviors such as listening and checking in, and acting when a colleague needs support.

Learning from listening

Meaningful change begins when people can see that their voices matter.

Our experience has shown what helps create a stronger approach to mental well-being: safe opportunities to share lived experiences, trusted peer connections and leaders who have the tools and autonomy to respond. The goal is not simply to collect more feedback. It is to understand what people are experiencing, act on those insights and keep learning as needs evolve.

For CGI, “Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change” reinforces our belief that listening must be an intentional and ongoing process. It enables us to ask better questions and strengthen our support, so people feel heard, respected and able to ask for help.

Discover how we support CGI Partners in our career section: Be supported.