Mental Health in the Workplace: What to Know

Struggling with mental health in the workplace is common, as it can often come with feelings of anxiety, stress, and feeling overwhelmed. Treating mental health is just important as treating physical health, and it should be prioritized in the workplace for the overall well-being of employees. 

If you are an employee or employer looking for workplace mental health advice, keep reading. In this guide, we will go over the importance of mental health in the workplace, as well as what all those involved in an organization can do to help. 

The Importance of Mental Health in the Workplace 

When employees have mental health issues in the workplace, it can affect both them and the company at large. Stress and poor mental health can have negative impacts on employees which can affect their job performance. This can complicate an individual’s ability to work productively or effectively. 

It can also affect their ability to engage with their own work, and with other members of their team which can stunt collaboration. Their physical capability may also deteriorate when dealing with mental issues. This can affect the ways that they communicate with coworkers and other daily functioning. 

Additionally, mental issues such as depression are correlated with unemployment and disability. Mental issues can interfere with one’s ability to complete physical tasks associated with their job. Luckily, there are tons of solutions that can help to support mental health in the workplace.

Solution Options 

It is important to create a company culture that understands the importance of their employee’s mental health. Employers should promote awareness about the importance of mental health as well as stress management. You want to create a culture of overall health for employees as well. This is because organizations already have a communication structure in place. 

You can come up with programs and policies surrounding mental health that come from the central team. Employers can offer incentives to promote healthy behaviors. Processes to track data will measure the effects your assistance plan has on employees. 

Helpful tools are available to employees regarding mental health, such as self-assessments, or mental health coverage. You may consider setting up regular workshops for employees that address mental health and coping strategies. For example, you could host workshops that deal with managing stress, such as meditation, mindfulness, or yoga classes. 

This can help employees relieve stress or tension that can lead them to a more productive, focused, and motivated workday. Some organizations designate quiet spaces that employees can use to engage in relaxation activities when they need it most. Set up training sessions for leadership, management, and HR to help them recognize signs of mental issues in employees. 

This can teach those in the workplace to identify these issues and learn how to help. Work with your employees to have open discussions about workplace stress and other issues. This can help you work to fix issues that have a strain on your employees in the workplace. 

What Employees Can Do 

While it’s important for leadership to step in with mental health initiatives, there are things employees can do to improve mental health in the workplace as well. Employees can encourage their employers to offer mental health solutions if they are not already in place. For example, employees can bring up possible stress management programs or education to meet their needs or interests. 

There are also employee-sponsored activities and programs that employees can participate in to learn certain skills. This can help workers get access to the support in order to improve their emotional resilience in the workplace. Additionally, when appropriate, employees can communicate and share their won personal experiences regarding mental health to reduce workplace stigma. 

Being a coworker that is open-minded and understanding is a great way to provide some support. Offering peer support can help cultivate a kind and caring workplace culture. If you’re experiencing mental issues such as stress and anxiety in the workplace, there are things outside of work that can help you overcome these feelings as well. 

Healthy habits such as eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and getting adequate sleep can help to improve one’s overall health and wellness. Taking part in activities outside of work that are stress-relieving such as yoga, tai chi, and meditation can also help someone relieve workplace stress. Building real and deep connections with others both inside and outside of the workplace can help to increase one’s overall happiness while also allowing for a source of support. 

Mental Health in the Workplace

It’s important for both employees and employers to stress the importance of mental health in the workplace, while also promoting a healthy work-life balance. Employers should work to make mental health assistance available to employees who may be struggling.

When employees and their employers work together to create a space that acknowledges the importance of mental health, the entire workplace culture benefits. Reducing mental health stigmas while also offering support to those in the workplace can have great benefits on workplace productivity and overall success. Are you seeking mental health treatment for yourself or someone you love? If so, contact us today to get the help you need.