Mental Health in the Workplace Is Broken: Justin Goodman's Nonprofit Has a Fix
Written by Connie Etemadi
Companies have recently started talking more about mental health. However, most workplaces are still lagging when it comes to taking real action. Various factors have created an environment where burnout is common and support is hard to find. These factors range from pressure to perform and long hours to personal stress.
Many organizations have realized that mental health is important, but most of them are not prepared to handle it. That is where Justin Goodman's Project 55 can help. This 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization offers what Goodman calls "the most tactically advanced mental health training ever released to the public"—completely free—as a surprisingly simple solution.
Why Mental Health at Work Is Struggling
Workers are feeling more stress, anxiety, and depression across different industries. Nearly 1 in 5 adults face mental health challenges each year, but most employees don't feel safe discussing these issues with their manager.Workplaces are not set up to deal with these challenges, and HR teams are often overwhelmed trying to manage everything from hiring to compliance. As a result, everyday problems like panic attacks, emotional distress, or processing grief often go unnoticed and are not handled well.
When something serious like an emotional crisis at work happens, most teams don't know how to respond.
Most People Are Not Trained to Handle Mental Health Crises
Unlike CPR or fire drills, there is usually no training on how to handle mental health situations. Most employees don't know what to say or do if a coworker is in distress, leaving them feeling unsure and often resulting in silence.This silence can be dangerous. The lack of preparation puts both the individual and the whole team at risk.
Both managers and employees are asking for tools to help, but very few companies have the time or resources to create something from scratch.
Project 55: One Free Program That Could Change Everything
Project 55 was created by entrepreneur and mental health advocate Justin Goodman, who brings unique credibility to this work. Named one of the top five construction insurance experts nationwide at age 29 and recognized in Insurance Business Magazine's Top 100 for 2024, Goodman successfully built and exited his training company Total CSR, which reduced the insurance industry's average training time by two years.But Goodman's commitment to mental health advocacy stems from personal experience navigating chronic pain, substance abuse, and type 2 bipolar disorder. "I was fortunate to have people in my life who stood by me, supported me, and helped me reclaim control over my life," Goodman explains. "Today, I pay that forward by helping others through tools that make responding to mental health crises approachable and doable."
This organization offers free Mental Health First Responder Training that any workplace can use, dedicated to driving better mental health outcomes in the workplace.
This is not just a basic wellness seminar or vague overview. It is a step-by-step approach that teaches what to do and how to do it when someone is struggling. It is designed for everyday people, not therapists, helping teams feel confident to speak up and help when it matters most.
Project 55's Free Program Is Built for Workplaces, Not Just Awareness
What makes Project 55 different is that it was made specifically for today's workplaces. The content is clear and straightforward, providing theory, research, scripting and resources all in one place. Most importantly, it helps change the workplace culture encouraging more open conversations, earlier intervention, and a safer work environment overall.The training is available online 24/7 free for both individuals and organizations. Companies don't need to hire a consultant, bring in a speaker, or pay extra fees. Anyone can take this training on their own time, at no cost.
Goodman believes that "We don't need to be experts to help. With the right tools and a clear, step-by-step approach, anyone can be equipped to intervene during a mental health crisis or show up meaningfully for someone struggling with everyday life."
A Simple Way to Start Making a Difference
Companies can't afford to ignore mental health problems anymore as these challenges continue to increase. However, not every organization has the time or money to create a comprehensive wellness program.Project 55 offers a free solution to that problem. With an immediate goal of training 100,000 new people in the next 12 months and a long-term vision of making Mental Health First Responder Training as commonplace and essential as CPR training, Goodman is scaling this solution rapidly.
By teaching teams how to respond in critical moments, this nonprofit provides workplaces with a way to move forward—one conversation, one training session, and one person at a time.
