by Nora Panahi
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. We take mental health seriously year-round at Kickstand, but now is a great time to reflect on how we can support each other – not just as coworkers, but as humans.
Most of us spend a fair portion of our waking hours at work, so it should come as no surprise that when employee morale is high, improved mental health tends to follow. At Kickstand, we’ve learned that when people feel good about where they work and who they work with, they show up differently – in the best possible way.
Recognition matters
We all know how great it feels when someone says, “Hey, nice work on that project!” That small moment of recognition can seriously turn someone’s day around, and over time it can shape how they feel about their job altogether.
That’s why we’ve built recognition into the fabric of our culture. It all starts with our #kudos Slack channel, where anyone can give a shoutout to a teammate (or entire team!) for a job well done. Big media wins, well-written bylines, or engaging new business pitches – it’s all kudos-worthy. These messages are visible to the whole agency, and they’re one of the simplest (and most powerful) ways we keep morale high.
It might feel small, but the impact is huge. People feel seen and appreciated, and they’re reminded how their work impacts the people around them.
“The culture at Kickstand is incredibly supportive. It’s rooted in a deep respect for each and every person working here. One of the biggest ways we show this support is by celebrating each other in the #kudos channel. I know I feel empowered to show up to work every day as my best self when I’m surrounded by a community that uplifts me. And our team here at Kickstand does that ten fold.” – Lindsay Mahaney, Global Senior Account Manager
Celebrating big wins every quarter
On top of our daily kudos, we also take time each quarter to celebrate the stand-out work happening across the agency. During our Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs), we hand out QBR Awards: real, physical, stackable awards that recognize excellence in categories like media hits, client communications, strategic thinking, and more.
These awards are more than just trophies. They’re a signal that what we do here matters, and we celebrate great work. And yes, some of us might be getting a little competitive about whose award tower is the tallest.
The real impact of feeling seen
So how does this all connect to mental health?
When people feel appreciated, connected, and proud of what they’re doing, it puts them in a better headspace. Recognition helps build confidence. It reduces stress. It creates a sense of belonging. It shows people that they’re not just cogs in a machine, but valued members of a team that sees and supports them.
This morale boost contributes massively to job satisfaction, retention, productivity, and ultimately revenue growth. When people are happy at work, they stick around longer, bring more energy and enthusiasm to the table, and turn out better results. Plain and simple.
A little appreciation goes a long way
The best part is, you don’t need an elaborate program to start recognizing people. A quick Slack message, a genuine “thank you,” or a shoutout in a meeting is all it takes. What matters most is that it’s authentic, specific, and consistent.
At Kickstand we’ve seen firsthand how simple habits like giving kudos can have a major impact on how people feel. And that impact adds up!
If you’re looking for a place where your work will be recognized, your mental health will be respected, and your teammates will have your back, check out our open roles.
