Sep 29, 2021

How to Improve Employee Mental Health

The workplace is where an employee spends most of their time, and it plays a vital role in nurturing positive mental health. The topic of mental health in the workplace and why it is so important, has always been somewhat of a sensitive and not often talked about topic. Due to the pandemic, many organizations are now working remotely, and many people are still getting used to not seeing or interacting with their colleagues in person, which can take a toll on their mental health.

We are living in uncertain times, and uncertainty is a breeding ground for anxiety. So how do you ensure that you create positive mental health awareness amongst your employees? Today we want to give you some tips for mental health and discuss the various ways to improve mental health in the workplace.

Why is Mental Health Important?

Life has turned on its head for many of us since the start of the pandemic and for others they may have been struggling with their mental health all their lives. Much like how you take a sick day when you have a cold, it is important to take a step back and rest when you feel overwhelmed, depressed, or anxious.

Take these stats into consideration for example:

• 1 in 5 people are struggling with some form of mental illness.
• Majority of people struggle to speak up about the issues that they’re facing due to the stigma attached to mental health and lack of resources.
• According to Canadian Mental Health Commission, the country spends 7.2% of its total healthcare budget on mental health, which is one of the lowest among the G7 countries.
• According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health issues are one of the biggest challenges that we face in this century with depression being the leading cause of premature death.

All the above facts should be enough to make you sit up and take note of the fact that you as an employer can make an impactful change in the way mental health topics are handled in the workplace.

Mental Health in the Workplace & Ways to Improve Mental Health

Even in the most uncertain of times, be it pre-pandemic or during the pandemic, the role of a manager is to ensure that the team member feel supported. We don’t claim to be experts in the field of mental health, but here are some tips that could help you as an employer to create a safe space for your employees to discuss the mental health challenges that they face.

Model a healthy behavior: Instead of merely saying that you support mental health, support your team by modelling healthy behaviors such as prioritizing self-care and setting healthy boundaries. Are you taking a walk during your mid-day break? Share that with the team and encourage them to get outside and take a break from their screens. Are you struggling with anxiety? Be vulnerable and let them know the steps that you take to combat your own mental health struggles. This makes employees feel that they are not alone and that they have an ally to support them during the bad days.

Establish and employee support program: Most organizations already have mental health awareness and support programs in place for their employees. If you don’t currently have one, now would be a great time to create a solid support program. These programs can offer free counselling for those who may not be able to afford a therapist, or even make it easier for employees to know where to look for mental health resources.

Set realistic targets for your team: It’s natural to want to aim higher and set goals for your team members. But you need to ensure that those goals are not impacting your employees’ mental health in a negative manner. Be realistic in the sense that you set goals that are achievable and are ok if sometimes you fail to reach a specific goal. Find moments to celebrate both successes and failures as they’re both signs of learning and growth.

Be open to modifications: Mental health tips and resources are not one-size-fits-all, so be flexible when you’re putting out suggestions and offering possible solutions to your employees. Be open to making modifications to your current resources and listen to the team members when they talk to you about what can be improved when it comes to offering mental health support to employees.

Promote well-being in the workplace: This could be taking 10 minutes out of your day to have a virtual meditation or even setting aside some time for employees to talk to you 1-1. Encourage the employees to use their vacation time and create opportunities for employees to build strong connections with each other through message boards, social events, or affinity groups.

Invest in training: Prioritize proactive and preventive workplace mental health training for leaders and managers. This will put them in a much better position to navigate through uncertain events and also to debunk the stigma associated with mental illnesses.

Recognize and reward employees: Show the employees that they are valued and appreciated by recognizing them for their hard work. This could be in the form of monthly awards, or even sending a note of appreciation their way to ensure that they are aware of their hard work being noticed.

Listen to the employers when they bring up events that have bothered them in the past or are bothering them at present. Much like everything else in life, mental health takes a lot of work. Each employee has their own strengths and weaknesses and you as an employer has the unique opportunity to create a workplace that impacts the employee mental health in a positive manner. Even though most people are working remotely, the silver lining is that you have the technology and resources to deliver an effective mental healthcare program virtually.

With understanding, empathy, creativity, and support, you as an employer can provide better mental health facilities to your team members.