Why mental health awareness is important to your company
Mental health is a critical aspect of overall health and well-being. Yet it has long been stigmatized and neglected in many workplaces. However, this is changing as more and more companies realize the importance of talking openly about mental health issues with their employees. Modern workplaces are faster than ever, and people all over the world are experiencing work-related stress and other mental health issues. Anxiety, panic attacks, lack of sleep, and depression are just some of the problems facing employees today. Below, you’ll learn why it’s important to include mental health awareness in your company culture and how you can start practicing it right away.
5 Benefits of Adding Mental Health Awareness to Your Company Culture
1. Positive impact on productivity
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), every eighth person in the world suffers from a mental or neurological disorder at some point in their life. Mental health problems can range from mild to severe and can affect people’s ability to work, concentrate and perform tasks effectively. By incorporating mental health awareness into your company culture, you can reduce negative perceptions of the topic and encourage your people to seek help when needed. This can help them be more productive, improve their job satisfaction and reduce absenteeism.
2. Supportive work environment
Promoting mental health awareness in the workplace creates a more welcoming and inclusive work environment. People struggling with their mental health tend to isolate themselves. By creating an open and accepting culture, employees often feel more comfortable discussing their problems and seeking support from their peers and managers. This will encourage your people to be more engaged in their work because they will feel valued and cared for.
3. Prevention of mental health crises
Early intervention is essential in dealing with mental health problems and co-workers can play an important role in identifying warning signs. This can be particularly important for employees who may experience high levels of stress or are at risk of developing mental health problems due to their workload.
4. Improved communication
Employees will be more honest with their co-workers and managers, which promotes more meaningful and effective communication. Mental health awareness also encourages people to be more empathetic towards themselves. Over time, you will notice that your employees will become better at active listening, conflict resolution, and other communication techniques.
5. Employee Retention
Your people will feel valued and respected, which will boost their morale and motivation and encourage them to stay with your company for the long haul. Also, word of mouth is a powerful thing and when people talk about your support company, you will attract more talent. Companies that prioritize the well-being of their people benefit from a loyal and satisfied workforce.
How to practice mental health awareness in the workplace
Offer flexibility
Let your employees choose their preferred way of working. Do they feel better working from home, or do they benefit more from the office? Flexibility in the place where they work leads to their well-being. Maybe they need to work and finish earlier to have more time with their family or friends. If you offer them this kind of freedom, you will see their happiness and productivity increase.
Mental health awareness training
You should provide training and resources to educate your employees about mental health. Training can include how to recognize the signs of mental health problems and how to support colleagues who are struggling. This will also help you reduce the cost of mental health care. People will be able to prevent problems and manage them before they become more serious or even life-threatening.
Provide assistance programs
Many companies offer employee assistance programs (EAPs) that provide confidential counseling and support to employees and their families. EAPs can help your workforce address personal and work-related issues that may be negatively impacting their mental well-being. Also consider providing additional resources on how to manage stress, practice mindfulness, and prioritize healthy habits like exercise and nutrition.
Mental health benefits
You should ensure that your company’s health insurance provides adequate coverage for mental health services, including therapy and medication. You may also consider offering paid time off for employees to seek mental health treatment if needed. Additionally, try giving them gift cards and offers for healthy hobbies like meditation, yoga, pilates, massage, and other self-care activities.
Check in on your employees often
Set up a one-on-one meeting and encourage them to talk through any issues that may arise. This will help you spot the first signs of trouble and also make them feel more comfortable and secure in their work environment. You can also set up a company email account that people can go to and report anything they find inappropriate about a colleague, always in confidence.
Conclusion
There are many compelling reasons to include mental health awareness in your company culture. In this way, you can reduce the stigma around mental health and create an inclusive work environment. Given how common mental health issues are around the world, it is imperative that you take steps to address this critical issue as soon as possible and promote wellness within your team. If you’re looking for an outsourcing partner to help you launch your employee wellness program, our list of the best eLearning content development companies includes leading content providers.
