Mental health has become a popular topic that has gained a lot of attention, especially in the modern workplace. As the demanding workspace scene gets extremely intense due to deadlines, commitments, and other factors, global mental health deteriorates.
Deteriorating mental health has become one of the leading factors contributing to 3.8% depression in the global population. This depression can, unfortunately, lead to suicide in some cases. According to research, suicide is the 4th leading cause of death, especially in youth of 15-29 years.
Therefore, it is imperative to implement some innovative methods to foster positive mental health and start a dialogue about the same. This comprehensive guide is going to delve into five key strategies for promoting mental health in the workplace.
1. Create Company Policies On Mental Health
You can better prepare for the typical mental health issues by having a thoughtful, equitable, and well-thought-out employee mental health policy. It also lets prospective employees know exactly where you stand on mental health in the workplace.
Some policies that you can include in your company are:
Policy against discrimination: Discrimination in the workplace due to mental health issues can ultimately lead to an unpleasant work atmosphere and discourage individuals from getting treatment.
Anti-discrimination laws clearly state how coworkers should handle those who are experiencing mental health problems at work. Employees who are impacted by workplace discrimination can seek remedy when such a policy is in existence.
These workplace wellness guidelines will guarantee that workers have a secure and liberated workspace.
Leave Policy: The majority of workers might worry that taking time off for mental health issues will negatively impact their position. But this dread makes their issues worse and keeps them from doing well at work.
Employers need to understand that employees who are under mental stress have the potential to hurt themselves while at work and have a harmful impact on others around them.
To make sure that employees prioritize their mental health, you might offer stress leaves and mental health days in addition to the regular leaves.
2. Promote Conversation
A culture of support from managers and staff alike fosters a conversation about mental health issues in the workplace.
Supervisors can set an example by discussing the difficulties they have faced. Their teams are able to participate as a result. The intention is to lessen the stigma associated with mental illness by introducing a component of “the personal.”
Technology can also be used here to facilitate communication. To encourage employees to speak up, consider providing a venue where they may freely address mental health difficulties.
It is a matter of workplace culture to discuss mental health concerns openly; people can only feel comfortable in their employment when this culture is put into place.
3. Recognizing Employee Accomplishments
There are a number of things that might cause sadness, and one of them is ignorance. Here, there may be a perceived or actual lack of acknowledgment. An employee is more likely to become angry or depressed when they don’t feel that their efforts are valued. This may quickly turn into a bad attitude.
Recognizing and supporting such employees’ efforts and emotions is the easiest method to assist them. There are several methods to achieve this. You can commend the personnel during meetings for reaching objectives.
Plaques recognizing staff members can also be hung throughout the office. Some methods of expressing gratitude to staff members are offering a formal certificate, a day off from work, or a gift card.
4. Provide Managers And Supervisors With Training On Mental Health
Incorporating mental health education into your organization’s management training curriculum equips your leadership team with the necessary tools, resources, information, and abilities to effectively foster a mentally sound workforce.
Management education on mental health might include subjects like:
- Identifying and acting upon warning indicators.
- Establishing an atmosphere at work that values direct and honest communication.
- Knowing how to prevent and recognize possible emotional triggers at work.
5. Make Mental Health Services More Accessible
Offering a program to your staff to get support with mental health issues is a good start, but it’s not the end all, as no mental health issue goes away quickly.
It may be required to get ongoing treatment and medication, and it may be challenging to visit therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, and other medical and mental health specialists during regular business hours.
Making mental healthcare accessible is necessary to support mental health at work properly. You can carry out this action by:
- Provide health plans that adequately cover psychiatric drugs and mental health services.
- Paying for employees’ therapy and medication check-ups with paid time off.
- Include an organizational psychologist in your group to give staff members life coaching.
- Collaborating with local mental health professionals to give free on-site therapy.
- Organizing support groups where workers may get together and talk about mental health at work.
Conclusion
Mental health is not a new issue; however, it is high time that people become aware of the deteriorating effect that it poses. This calls for better work management and crucial steps to ensure and foster positive mental health at the workplace.
Workplaces can expect really beneficial change as a result of society’s growing awareness and acceptance of these concerns particularly when an increasing number of individuals start to speak up, put an end to their silent suffering, and discuss the issues that concern them.