Supporting the Mental Health of Today’s Employees: 9 Instrumental Solutions & Their Benefits
Mental health issues are among the leading issues causing stress, overwhelm, and anxiety in US adults today.
Struggles with mental health affect our everyday life, and can lead to poor:
Job performance
Engagement
Communication
Daily functioning
Those with mental health disorders also have to take care of their physical health. And the cost of treatment for co-existing health issues is approximately two to three times more costly than for those without that hurdle.
If one positive came from the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s the magnification of the importance of addressing employees’ mental health concerns. The stigma that surrounds speaking about these issues has become outdated. Employers are now encouraging employees to receive the help they need—unashamedly—and are offering resources to do so.
Workplace Solutions
Thus far, programs put into place by employers have seen great results, especially when they provide the employees with a combination of both mental and physical resources.
A few of the ways that businesses can help their employees include:
Providing self-assessments
Free or low-cost screenings from a professional (with referrals, if necessary)
Choose health insurance plans that give no- to low-cost mental health counseling
Offer cheap lifestyle coaching or self-management programs
Distribute flyers and brochures that point out signs of poor mental health with treatment options
Host webinars or seminars that teach mindfulness and coping techniques
Maintain “quiet rooms” where employees can go to to de-stress and relax
Give management special training to spot any signs in their employees and colleagues
Allow employees to be part of any discussions around workplace stress
The workplace is a prime setting to attempt these types of programs because:
There are structures of communication already in place
Social support is readily available
Incentives for participation can be given
Employers have the capability to track progress (Reference 1)
3 Benefits of Implementing Workplace Programs
Investments in employee health and well-being should be seen as unlocking untapped potential, rather than an extra cost. Investing in your employees is also an investment in the business as a whole.
Here are 3 benefits of implementing workplace programs that address employee mental wellness:
1. Elevating Your Business
Research shows that the mental wellness of an employee directly correlates to their creativity at work.
Being in an overall healthy mental state will allow for an increase in performance, productivity, and retention rates. It will also reduce any costs related to losing current employees and training new hires as their replacement.
2. Better Management
Managers have the clearest avenue to supporting their colleagues under them.
Management can connect with their employees by putting a positive spin on frequent check-ins, rather than the semiannual performance review that many dread. They can help create a culture that holds respect and understanding as the norm. Management should lead by example and show their employees that it is okay to take a breather throughout the day and truly unplug while on PTO.
3. Supportive Culture
Employers should be taking into consideration their employees’ lives outside of work, as well.
This means providing adequate backup on their days off or even offering incentives that include subsidized parking, transportation, or childcare. Relieving stressors outside of work can go a long way in improving the mental wellness of their employees, thus receiving a more healthy and productive individual during work hours. (Reference 2)
Mental Health Screenings Improving Quality of Life
At MHT, we are firm believers that mental health assessments can help clinicians pick up on the early signs of mental health disorders — allowing for quick and effective treatment through professional referrals.
Our clients describe our service as:
✓ Convenient
✓ Flexible
✓ Easy to use
Contact us today to speak with a customer service representative on how we can help you help your patients.
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