4 Ways Employers Can Support Mental Health
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than half of the people in the United States will be diagnosed with a mental illness at some point in their lives, and one in five Americans will experience a mental illness in a given year. Despite these statistics, the importance of mental health in the workplace is still largely undervalued. It’s no surprise that mental health has a significant impact on the workplace.
The World Health Organization estimates that low productivity costs $1 trillion ever year in lost revenue. In recent years, it’s become clear that employers must understand mental health conditions and offer support to employees who face these challenges.
Here are four ways companies can support their employees’ mental health.
1. Increase Awareness
Unfortunately, there is still a stigma against people who suffer from mental illnesses. Historically, being in therapy or taking medication for a mental health condition has been looked down upon in our society, and this limited view only serves to perpetuate this stigma. Those who deal with these conditions are often hesitant to speak about the issues with their employers for fear of discrimination or decreased opportunity.
To combat this, employers must give employees access to education and resources from mental health organizations such as the American Psychiatric Association or Mental Health America. Teaching employees about the prevalence of mental illnesses and how to approach a situation where their coworker appears to be struggling allows those who do suffer to feel more comfortable coming forward and asking for help.
2. Develop Mental Health Policies/Resources & Publicize Them
Without mental health policies and resources in place, your company risks poor employee satisfaction and high turnover. Employees need a space where they can address their grievances and struggles. Dedicate an HR resource for employees to have open conversation or offer your employees free off-site therapy sessions.
Once your company has accommodations and resources in place for employees that struggle with mental illness, make sure to broadcast them. Oftentimes people have no idea of the tools that are available to them. Your employees will be happier and so will the state of your business.
3. Encourage Work-Life Balance
Work-life balance is an important aspect of a positive work environment and a significant factor in mental health. Maintaining a work-life balance helps reduce stress and prevent workplace burnout for employees.
Encourage a culture of openness around time constraints and workload. Employees must feel allowed to speak up if the demands placed on them are too great and negatively affecting their mental health. Also, encourage activities that promote good work-life balance. We suggest such group yoga classes or (but preferably and) team happy hours!
For me, I find it helpful to set clear boundaries in my work. Whether it be not checking my email on weekends or turning off my work phone after 6PM (maybe a little early, but you get the point), it’s imperative that I take time to focus on my personal well-being rather than my impending project deadlines.
4. Offer Training to Managers
Provide opportunities for managers to attend training to support employees dealing with mental health conditions. Businesses tend to seek one-size-fits-all solutions, but the reality is everyone is different, and mental illnesses affect people in various ways. Managers must understand the impact of mental illness, and they should be trained to see signs of employees who may be struggling with one.
Managers should also offer one-on-one meetings with employees, and rather than talking solely about project deadlines, they should encourage conversations about topics outside of work. Promote vulnerability between managers and junior employees. This practice will deepen the personal connection amongst employees and allow both parties to share their own experiences with mental health and their strategies for managing stress.
As someone who struggles with anxiety, I am extremely fortunate to work at a company that has resources in place to help me cope with it. My managers and co-workers encourage me to have a healthy work-life balance, and my company offers all employees eight free counseling sessions throughout the year through an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Without the support of my team and the resources my company has made available, I can only imagine the toll the stress of my work would take on my mental health.
Now is the time to educate employees about mental illness and provide resources to your employees that are living with them. Good mental health practices help your team to avoid the burnout and mental breakdowns that so many people face in the workplace. Companies that invest in the mental health of their employees and encourage open dialogue about mental health will ultimately create a positive workplace environment where people want to work. Win-win!
