HelpCase Study: Addressing Mental Health in Media
OUTFRONT Media, a major player in the fast-paced advertising industry, knows that its success depends on the well-being of its people. For former Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Nancy Tostanoski, workplace mental health isn’t an abstract HR concept; it’s personal. As the parent of a child who struggled with mental health challenges from a young age, Tostanoski carries firsthand knowledge of how mental illness affects both individuals and their caregivers.
This perspective shapes how she led OUTFRONT’s people strategy. “Everyone comes to work with a backpack like caregiving responsibilities, family crises, or their own mental health challenges,” she explained. If a company ignores that reality, it loses the best of its people.
When OUTFRONT joined the NAMI-NYC Workplace Mental Health Collaborative, Toski immediately found it different from other workplace wellness efforts. Steering committee meetings were “action-oriented,” she said, rooted in practical tools. “I came away from every meeting with something I can do at my organization.”
One of the most significant impacts of the collaboration was giving OUTFRONT’s HR team and its managers skills and confidence to have empathetic, legally sound, and productive conversations about mental health. “Even HR professionals don’t always feel like we have the tools to broach these topics,” Tostanoski noted.
OUTFRONT promoted all NAMI-NYC trainings internally and uploaded them to their intranet for ongoing access. Participation was high, and so was engagement. Employees wrote to Tostanoski personally, thanking her for launching the initiative. “There was real gratitude,” she shared. “I wasn’t expecting that.” NAMI-NYC’s lived experience presentations resonated most. Hearing directly from people who have navigated mental health challenges created empathy and understanding beyond what any policy could accomplish. “These are real people,” Nancy said. “It makes an enormous difference.”
OUTFRONT’s Health & Wellness Employee Resource Group also expanded its focus from fitness toward deeper mental health conversations, even hosting additional speakers inspired by the Collaborative’s content. For employees, the message was clear: OUTFRONT sees you, and you’re allowed to bring your whole self to work.
In a demanding industry where long hours are standard, Toski is clear: supporting mental health isn’t a luxury. It’s a business imperative. When employees feel cared for, they show up more engaged, motivated, and loyal. “They want more than a paycheck. They want to feel supported. And when they do, they work harder for you.”
To join the NAMI-NYC Workplace Mental Health Collaborative or learn more about our workplace programs, fill out our form, and we’ll be in touch.