Mental illnesses are on the rise, so mental health awareness is growing more and more crucial. At work, you can support your team members’ mental health to promote a more positive work environment. As things change, it’s important to not leave your team behind. With clear guidance and a strong strategy, you can start prioritizing workplace mental health for your organization today.
Why Is Employee Mental Health Important?
Employee mental health is important because it is a part of each person’s overall health. By learning how to better manage work-related stress and anxiety, a healthy workforce is more productive and engaged. Employees are absent less and save more on medical costs. Additionally, you can improve your employee retention by supporting your team’s mental health.
Some of the most valuable and best company perks are not monetary, but rather focused on employee well-being. Workers are growing more concerned about their work-life balance and health. Maintaining strong mental health allows your employees to show up refreshed and ready to work hard.
6 Ways to Prioritize Employee Mental Health
Prioritizing mental health can be a large task to take on because some consider mental illness and conditions to be taboo. However, you can use different solutions to better support your team members and grow a healthy business. From providing educational resources to improving company culture, there are many ways for you to show appreciation and care for your team’s well-being.
1) Organize Wellness Programs
Mental and physical health are closely related. When you work on one, you often improve the other. You can help employees by organizing diverse wellness programs that will educate, provide resources, and improve overall health. You can empower your employees to live better by providing opportunities to learn more about the different aspects of their health.
Topics to touch on include nutrition, exercise, and sleep. For example, you can bring an expert nutritionist to your workplace. They can conduct a whole-group informational session or offer one-on-one advice in individual meetings with employees.
2) Ensure Mental Health Coverage
One of the most sought-after employee benefits is health insurance. To support your team, you can make sure they understand the extent of their benefits, including mental health resources and services.
Oftentimes, people don’t seek mental health services because of the cost. However, they may save money by using the services included in your company’s health insurance plan. Mental and behavioral health services covered by health insurance may include counseling therapy, substance use disorder treatment, and more.
3) Implement a Flexible Working Model
Giving employees the ability to choose when and where they work promotes productivity and well-being. Using a flexible work model, employees can design a schedule and workplace most fitting for their lifestyle. This way, employees feel empowered and can live their best lives.
As remote work becomes more popular, it’s important to help your team stay engaged and focused on personal and company goals. There are many productivity tips for working at home that may help your staff.
4) Facilitate Mental Health Learning
Mental health is an unfamiliar topic for some, so encouraging learning can help your team discover how mental health resources may support them. Consider if your team would learn more in a group setting or individually. You may want to organize a company-wide event or share resources via email for employees to browse themselves.
You can host webinars, partner with organizations focused on mental health awareness, and more. You can also use apps and training to motivate further learning and discussions within your team.
5) Begin an Employee Assistance Program
An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a work-based program for your employees to receive help with personal or work-related problems. Resources may include counseling, assessments, and referrals. An EAP helps manage problems that may negatively impact employee performance and well-being.
Additionally, these resources are offered for free or included in some health insurance plans. Employees are encouraged to use these services at no cost to them.
6) Destigmatize Seeking Help
It takes a lot of courage and strength for someone to seek mental health support. Mental illness and conditions are still stigmatized, so it’s important to respect and appreciate those who ask for help. You can use consistent communication to share mental health resources. This way, you show your team that mental health is always a priority.
For instance, you can develop a regular newsletter that shares mental health information and resources with your employees. You can focus on work-life integration, stress management, and more.
Mental Health Drives Success
Mental illness can negatively affect productivity, well-being, and health. Mental health awareness and resources are crucial to the future and growth of your business. A healthy team makes for a healthy organization. With the above tips, you can support yourself and your employees to be your best selves and do your best work.
