How To Promote Positive Mental Health in Today’s World of Work
Most employees’ mental health has been affected over the last two years due to the pandemic, and this is showing up in various forms. Here, Rhiannon Staples, CMO, HiBob, discusses how employers can leverage the Mental Health Awareness Month to promote positive employee mental health.
The COVID-19 pandemic has spiked levels of anxiety and depression across the USA. According to the World Health Organization data, the pandemic triggered a 25 percent increase in the prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide. Global companies must acknowledge the strain on their people caused by the pandemic and communicate how they can support their employees. Mental health has become a critical issue in the workplace and adequately addressing it is crucial for both employee and company success.
Over the last two years, many companies have seen the psychological effects of the pandemic on their people: reduced performance, increased stress, difficulties with teamwork, and more. In other words, employee wellbeing has become a crucial part of the “people experience.“
In a past HiBob survey, 49% of respondents said that the effects of mental health had a significant impact on their productivity.
The pandemic caused an upheaval in the workplace, even among those who were not laid off. Many people quit their jobs, changed industries, or even retired early because of burnout or were unwilling to sacrifice their mental health for an unfulfilling job or an uncaring employer.
Employers and companies must now address mental health in the workplace and provide the necessary resources without making those in need of assistance feel alienated or inadequate.
See More: 3 Hybrid Workplace Best Practices To Maintain Employee Wellness and Avoid Burnout
How Companies Are Changing Their Approach to Mental Health
The sad reality is that for most people, a therapy session is five times more likely to be out of network and more expensive than a visit to a primary care physician. By adjusting their healthcare benefits, companies can better support the mental health welfare of their employees.
Companies are also directly addressing burnout, especially as the labor market continues to tighten in a hot economy, as burnout can lead people to leave their current roles or begin to look elsewhere.
May 2022 is Mental Health Awareness Month. Companies are increasingly using the month to better educate employees about mental health, reduce the stigma of mental illness, and recognize the signs of mental health problems. Some companies offer an extra PTO day or mental health day that gives people an added day to relax, reflect, and recharge.
Effective Workplace Practices for Positive Mental Health
HR can use May as a jumping-off point to double down on company initiatives that promote employee wellbeing. At HiBob, we created a 31-day mental health challenge calendar on our dashboard for our “bobbers” as a small but important reminder that taking care of our mental health requires daily effort.
Companies can leverage the employee benefits database to offer gym memberships or discounted memberships for their employees to improve employee mental health and wellness, leveraging the direct correlation between physical activity and positive mental health benefits.
Another option is to offer online resources and Employee Resource Groups (ERGS) or clubs dedicated to mental health. Through the people management platforms, employers can set up specific groups devoted to positive mental health, wellbeing practices, etc. These groups are an excellent way for employees to create support networks when they don’t feel sufficiently supported by their direct team members.
Promoting flexible work schedules and giving employees the freedom to work the way they want can reduce stress and burnout. A HiBob survey found that 60% of employees agreed that remote work offers a better work-life balance.
Allowing employees to choose more flexible hours or hybrid work can reduce stress, improve work-life balance, or attend to childcare or eldercare needs. In addition, not everyone’s most efficient working hours fit into the typical 9 to 5 schedule. A little flexibility can go a long way to make employees happy and reduce stress.
Finally, many companies offer mental health days and regular sick days. Simply offering this option signals to their people that they care about their employees’ mental health.
Five Ways Employers Can Reduce the Stigma Around Mental Health
Although prevalent throughout society, mental health is often seen as a taboo subject and an unseen ailment that may not receive the same sympathy as a physical condition. To reduce the stigma around mental health, here are five actions a company can take:
1. Talking about mental health
Historically, employees felt they had to leave their personal lives at home. By openly, honestly, and frequently talking about mental health, companies and their leaders can demonstrate the understanding that empowers employees in need to ask for help. Hearing C-level executives or directors speaking openly about stress, burnout, and mental health — their struggles or those of friends and family, treatment, and more — helps everyone feel secure about reaching out for help.
2. Anonymous surveys
Employers can issue anonymous surveys to gauge what percent of their people may be suffering from anxiety, burnout, or depression. They can also use these surveys to see what methods or practices their people want to help their mental health, such as more PTO days, flexible schedules, different benefits, etc.
3. Digital buddy programs
Building mentorship or “buddy” programs for employees can provide an avenue for alleviating some of the symptoms of burnout, especially if you are remote. These programs can be either online or in-person and often help employees relieve stress by having a special confidant or exchanging practices and tips for better time management, how to talk to your boss, etc.
4. Practicing self-care
Companies should encourage employees to practice self-care as they see fit, whether taking meetings outside on a patio or grassy area, scheduling break time during the day, or blocking out 30 minutes to meditate and stretch. These and other small daily habits can collectively lead to happier and healthier employees.
5. Make time for employees
While there are many upsides to the modern world of work, water cooler opportunities and casual face-to-face meetings are much less frequent. Managers should reach out to their people and make a conscious effort for casual one-on-one conversations and share their struggles, challenges, and successes to instill employees the confidence to share their issues.
See More: The Future of Work Demands a Holistic Approach to Mental Wellness
A Reason To Celebrate
Mental Health Awareness Month should be celebrated and addressed by all employers and companies out of altruism and self-interest. Mental health affects all of us and directly impacts employee and business performance. During the pandemic, the prevalence of mental health issues has allowed us to discuss mental health without much of the historical stigma. We may still have a lot more work to make mental wellbeing a critical conversation and part of everyday life, but we are making significant progress.
In a HiBob mental health survey, 73% of employees most affected by their mental health said that managers were supportive, communicative, and took an active role in caring for their wellbeing.
How are you using Mental Health Awareness Month to promote positive mental health at the workplace? Let us know on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
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