Mental health in the workplace and the cost of ignoring it
1 in 6 people experience mental health problems in the workplace and 17.1 million days are lost to stress, anxiety, and depression in the UK.
Mental health in the workplace has a direct impact on workplace performance, impacting employee productivity, absenteeism, presenteeism, staff turnover, employer reputation, and damages workplace morale.
Leaders should send a clear message that mental health matters by proactively offering mental health support for their people, encouraging people to feel valued and safe in their workplace.
Is it important to offer mental health support?
Mental health conditions do not have an off switch. So, when someone attends work with poor mental health it can be difficult without accessible support.
With an estimate of 15% of UK workers experiencing an existing mental health condition, it makes business sense to offer mental health support for your people.
Cultivates an open and trusting environment
Mental health support provides a safe space for people to discuss their mental health challenges without judgement, encouraging others to discuss their challenges openly and emphasising that mental health is not something to feel ashamed of.
This fosters an open and trusting culture where people feel comfortable and safe to disclose their struggles to their colleagues and managers.
Encourages positive work relationships
Often, individuals who struggle with mental health challenges find it difficult to communicate their thoughts and feelings, which can make everyday conversations with their colleagues tough and draining. With appropriate mental health support, those who are struggling can feel the relief of talking to a counsellor and work on articulating their feelings for better and stronger relationships inside and outside of work.
Empowers your people
When an employer prioritises mental health and the care of their people, their people tend to be healthier, happier, and more engaged. It makes people feel valued, important, secure, happy, and empowered.
Priorities work-life balance
According to research, 58% of people are more likely to go for a job that promotes a good work-life balance over an attractive salary. More people are prioritising their work-life balance and improving colleagues mental health could be the first step in offering a better work-life balance, for a healthier and happier workplace. Prioritising your people’s work-life balance will help you retain talent and improve employee satisfaction.
How can organisations drive better mental health support in the workplace?
Offer mental health support
Free and easily accessible mental health support is essential for an organisation. It shows you care about your people, allowing them a place to find confidential support without having to deal with long wait times and large costs.
Counsellors offer different perspectives and a safe space for people to vent their challenges to a qualified person who may offer helpful and beneficial advice.
Invite a mental health expert in for a Q&A
Mental health is a complex and rich subject that can be hard understand and relate to. Inviting a mental health expert to speak about mental health awareness allows your people to learn about more about the subject and their own struggles.
It leaves audiences curious about mental health, positively challenges stigma, and encourages open and honest conversations about mental wellbeing.
Make mental health care a KPI
Targets shouldn’t always be about the growth of the business, offering your people the chance to improve their mental health awareness through targets and KPI’s can be really beneficial for the organisation and it’s people. Not only does this show to your people that you are serious about mental health, but it is a clear and measurable indicator for your people to monitor their own mental health.
Organise team-building activities
Team-building activities encourage people to foster strong working relationships with one another, boosting engagement, confidence, and trust within teams. With closer and better relationships within the workplace, teams tend to see a boost in productivity and better ability to support each other.
Offer mental health support to dependents
When a loved one struggles, so do we. Worrying about a loved one’s mental health can be incredibility debilitating, leading to an increase of challenges, such as anxiety and depression. As an organisation, it can be beneficial for you to offer mental health support to the dependents or family members of your people, so they don’t have to worry about their loved ones.
Related article: Encouraging Men’s Health in the Workplace: Breaking the Stigma
