“It’s about putting people at the center”: The Affinity & MindPartner partnership for mental health in the workplace
“Today, it’s no longer enough to say you care about people — you have to show how.”
With this principle in mind, in April 2023, Affinity took another step in its commitment to the well-being of its teams: it began a partnership with MindPartner to integrate mental health solutions into its flexible benefits program.
What is Affinity?
Affinity Portugal SA is an IT consultancy with a dynamic, people-centered culture. Founded in 2012, it takes an innovative approach to talent management, fostering autonomy, closeness, and continuous growth. With offices in Lisbon, Porto, and Óbidos, Affinity stands out for its collaborative environment and its focus on valuing human relationships.
“Mental health is an urgent issue — and it’s no longer a taboo.”
As Ana Cocharro Paiva dos Santos shares, it was that awareness that led them to take action:
“We started realizing that mental health was an urgent issue. We already knew it was one of the main causes of absenteeism. And, beyond that, we saw a huge fear of seeking emotional support in companies — as if that implied weakness.”
It was in this context that Affinity decided to look for a concrete solution — one that went beyond good intentions. The choice fell on MindPartner, a team specialized in organizational mental health, with the ability to respond with confidentiality, empathy, and technical expertise.
The impact of the partnership: from an invisible issue to an accessible solution
Since the beginning of the collaboration with MindPartner, Affinity employees have gained access to:
- Individual psychology sessions;
- Emotional support during critical moments;
- Mental health literacy resources.
The results were felt early on:“Many people expressed relief knowing they had this option available. There was an emotional breakthrough. Before, there was a lot of fear about what others might think. Now, it’s understood that asking for help is a sign of emotional maturity.”
“Companies need to be safe spaces — where people can speak without fear”
One of the biggest challenges Affinity identified was precisely that: the lack of psychological safety to speak openly about emotional distress. That’s why, in addition to therapy sessions, the company has invested in continuous internal communication to help normalize mental health — rather than only addressing it in times of crisis.
With a simple and confidential booking channel available through the MindPartner platform, employees can schedule sessions whenever they need to. But the change is also cultural — and it’s happening:
“We’ve noticed the topic is no longer hidden. People talk about it more. There’s more empathy. And now, colleagues are even recommending the service to one another — which shows trust.”
For Affinity, the lesson is clear: it’s not enough to say that people are at the center of the company — you have to create the conditions for that to be true. Mental health is one of those pillars.
According to Affinity, what made the partnership special was MindPartner’s flexibility in adapting its services to the company’s reality. For them, the workshops were very positive moments of sharing, learning, and demystification, while the individual sessions were a turning point — offering a safe, confidential, and accessible space for those who need it.
📢 Uma mensagem para outras empresas
Affinity leaves an important reflection for those still considering investing in this area:
“Don’t wait for an alarm to go off. Investing in mental health isn’t just a preventive measure — it’s a strategic and human choice. Creating an environment where people feel emotionally safe should be a priority for any organization that wants to grow sustainably.”
At MindPartner, we are proud to work with companies like Affinity — organizations that not only recognize the importance of mental health but also take concrete action to care for their teams.
After all, emotionally safe companies are better prepared to innovate, collaborate, and, above all, care for the people who make them thrive.