5 Ways to Adopt an Approach to Mental Health in the Workplace

  • September 30, 2024
  • Nurlisa Reza
  • Career Guide
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Mental health issues can emerge in the workplace from various situations. Burnouts, bullying, poor communication or management are some of the causes. Mental health issues can kill productivity and cost businesses billions in losses. Naturally, no business owners want to lose profit, so it’s important to implement ways to address mental health issues in the workplace. But first, let’s take a look at how these issues remain elusive: 

Disclosing mental health will harm careers

The stigma on mental health is still high, hence many employers refuse to hire candidates that are honest with their mental health despite stating they received the help they need. Candidates are afraid to disclose their issues during hiring processes and even wary to inform employers after they have worked for years. 

Employers are afraid to hire due to the fear that employees with mental health issues are incompetent or will take too much time on leave for appointments instead of working. Because of this, they believe this type of employee would not be a good human resource investment. 

Communication breakdown between employer and employee

Employers might neglect to provide proper education to their staff about what defines good mental health. Consequently, employees may not recognise the physical indicators of poor mental health, like insomnia and acid reflux. 

Employees might lack awareness of the mental health support options accessible to them. If the signs mentioned earlier and associated diagnoses are not included in the healthcare or insurance policies, it implies that mental health falls beyond the scope of employee benefits. 

5 Ways to Improve Mental Health in the Workplace

Implementing more solutions can streamline the process for employers to incorporate mental health into their benefits packages and manage them seamlessly, with minimal disruptions. Companies may opt for a specialised system that enables staff members to directly communicate with therapists and other mental health experts. 

Here are five effective methods to achieve this: 

  1. Create Awareness 

To raise awareness, consider inviting speakers and third-party service providers to employee events, organising monthly meetings or annual retreats, and fostering an environment where employees feel comfortable sharing ongoing challenges. 

Furthermore, investing in or encouraging employees to utilise mobile apps can prove advantageous. These apps guarantee essential privacy for individuals facing challenges, providing a support system without necessitating employees to disclose their diagnosis to colleagues. 

  1. Improve the Work Environment 

Employees typically spend a minimum of 40 hours per week at work, so the daily work environment significantly impacts their well-being. 

There are various elements that contribute to enhancing employees' mental health, such as providing healthy snack choices, offering flexible work hours, adopting a hands-off managerial style, and organising community-building activities. 

  1. Encourage Regular Breaks 

It is important for employees to take regular breaks throughout the workday for their mental health. Briefly shifting focus from a task can significantly enhance one's ability to concentrate on that task for extended periods of time. 

Employers should encourage employees to take frequent short breaks for activities such as reading, stretching, or meditation. Google's '80-20' principle, which permits employees to allocate 20% of their time to creative side projects, illustrates this approach and contributes to both employee contentment and innovation. 

  1. Offering Mental Health Resources 

Accessing mental health resources is crucial. Implementing interventions like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in the workplace can effectively lessen symptoms of depression and anxiety. 

Offering employees access to mental health resources, including counselling services, workshops, and online tools and apps is important. It's essential for managers and team leaders to undergo training to identify signs of mental distress and provide suitable support. 

  1. Monitor Employees Routinely 

Remaining vigilant for warning signs, performing monthly assessments, and encouraging employees to self-disclose can aid in identifying mental health concerns before they escalate.  

Upon detection, interventions like therapy or a robust employee support program could effectively address the issue. Consistent monitoring has the potential to yield substantial cost savings in terms of healthcare expenses and decreased productivity. 

Addressing mental health in the workplace requires a multifaceted approach. This involves promoting physical activity, encouraging regular breaks, creating a supportive environment, offering mental health resources, and providing flexible work arrangements. By implementing these strategies, businesses can create a healthier, more productive, and more supportive workplace. These initiatives not only contribute to a healthier work environment but also to the overall success of the organisation. 

Tags:
career guideemployee benefitsemployee workplaceemployee careeremployee mental health
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