Research from the American Heart Association reveals a concerning reality: job strain and long hours can increase the risk of depression and heart disease (even stroke!). Working at a fast-paced tech park can be thrilling, but it often brings stress. About 2 in 3 employees say work is a major source of stress for them and causes anxiety and burnout. In this context, resilience can make a big difference in managing workloads while staying calm under pressure. By supporting one another, employees can build a stronger and healthier culture. A company that truly cares for their employee’s mental well-being is a rare one to find these days. You can make a mark in their lives by following the 8 tips discussed in this blog to promote mental well-being at the workplace.
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8 Tips to Support Mental Health at Work
Though the hype developed only after COVID-19, mental health awareness in the workplace is not new. Its importance has been known to companies for ages as mental health issues can even hurt a business’s success. Mental Health America estimates that disengaged employees cost companies over $500B each year. Here are the top 8 tips to promote mental health at your workplace (if you are not doing so already!):
- Recognize Signs of a Mental Health Crisis
It is crucial to know when someone is in crisis and how to help. Sadly, the number of adults with serious thoughts of suicide has risen over the past decade. Eighty percent of people who die by suicide are working-age. Training sessions for mental health can help coworkers and managers have important conversations. Keep a list of local resources, like suicide hotlines, handy.
- Include Mental Health Coverage in Employee Insurance
Support your employees’ mental health by including mental health services in your employee health insurance. This is the very basic step they will expect you to do even before you start with training programs or workshops. Making mental health services covered in their health insurance makes it easy for them to indulge in therapy and other sessions on a regular basis without financial constraints considering these resources are extremely costly in most countries including India.
- Mental Well-Being Resources & Employee Assistance Programs
Providing mental well-being resources at work is very important. You can create a program that offers confidential counseling for personal or work-related issues. Making mental health professionals available, either on-site or through telehealth, lets employees get the help they need more easily. Setting up support groups at work can help build a sense of community among workers. If you want to do something extra, you could create a library with helpful articles and self-help tools to give employees the necessary mental health support at work. If your organization already has an EAP, it is crucial to promote it consistently as many employees may not know that these resources are available.
- Encourage Open Communication
Open communication helps support mental health in the workplace. Encourage employees to share their thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment. Implement regular check-ins, where team members can discuss their well-being and any challenges they are facing. In this context, anonymous feedback channels are perfect for allowing staff to voice both concerns and suggestions comfortably.
- Support Flexible Work Schedules
Flexible work arrangements allow employees to balance their needs better. Encouraging them to take mental health leave will also help normalize the importance of taking breaks for mental well-being. Allowing team members to adjust their hours or work remotely can help them more than you realize. Flexibility also accommodates individual needs like caring for the family and personal appointments.
- Organize Mental Health Corporate Workshops
Organizing workshops on stress management, mindfulness, and resilience equips employees with valuable coping skills. Wellness programs can promote physical health too. You can periodically conduct such sessions as fitness challenges, yoga classes, and meditation sessions to promote both physical and mental well-being.
EducationNest, the top corporate training provider in India, offers customizable corporate training solutions for meeting the needs of different teams. If you are looking for mental well-being training for your corporate teams or managers, their expert-led courses can be invaluable.
- Provide Corporate Training to Managers
But then again, offering resources is not enough. Managers and supervisors play a major role when you want to support the mental health of your employees through supportive policies. Organizations should guide managers to understand the range of health benefits available and encourage their employees to use these resources effectively. Without their support, many employees may not even think about these resources. It helps leaders understand and implement inclusive practices, welcoming diverse viewpoints which are the first two steps in creating a mentally safe workplace.
- Take a Look at your Diversity and Inclusion Policies
Employees with cognitive, emotional, learning, or mental disabilities often report having a toxic work environment. An inclusive and fair workplace is as essential for promoting mental health as a supportive circle. It is important for employees from different backgrounds not only to feel but also to have equal chances for promotions and benefits. The best way to go about this is to regularly review company policies to ensure they adequately support different groups of people.
Conclusion
Creating a resilient workforce can help people handle tough times while maintaining their well-being. Promoting mental well-being at work is no more just to maintain a PR image, it is a necessity today. Small changes like encouraging breaks, valuing open communication, and stress management resources can make a big impact. Companies today should proactively put efforts into creating a space where their own people feel equally safe to share their struggles as they feel to celebrate their wins. A healthier, more balanced work environment benefits everyone, from the employees to the company as a whole. A win-win for all.
If you are looking for corporate training programs for your teams or managers, EducationNest can help you set up the perfect mental health training program for your organization that is not only effective but also easy on the pockets. EducationNest is a leading corporate training provider with numerous expert-led courses on soft skills, leadership, cybersecurity, big data analysis, and more.
