In the few years leading up to the pandemic, we as a society have grown comfortable with the idea of talking about mental health. But as the COVID-19 pandemic and social isolation from it started to sink in, the more we realized that both companies and individuals weren't easily equipped to address solving those issues.

We learned that mental health issues were not as visible and that these issues could disrupt everyday tasks beyond work. Worse, the quick solutions put together weren't effective, backfired on people, and even hindered recovery

Companies are feeling the pinch the most as society has encouraged the idea that we should be looking after our mental health so much that taking time off routinely is appropriate. For larger companies, this doesn't pose as much of an issue, but when every employee counts in small or medium-sized businesses, companies need to find a balance between giving employees enough time to look after their well-being and keeping the lights on.

Despite mental health being a big problem, addressing this issue and implementing effective methods can make a difference. Here is how to improve mental health in a business and why it's crucial for business' survival.

6 Reasons To Make Employee Health A Priority

Why Focusing On Mental Health Will Prolong A Company's Life

Higher Productivity

Likely one of the biggest motivators is the fact that when a workplace cares about the physical and mental health of its employees, employees respond in kind by working more. One's emotional health won't make or break a company, but the more a company invests in its staff, one way or another contributes to this synergy.

This makes sense when you consider how things like stress, anxiety, or depression hinder one's ability to focus, make decisions, and ultimately perform in the workplace.

Dealing With Mental Health Also Deals With Other Employee And Social Issues

Even with technology moving quickly and companies trying to optimize it as much as possible, they still can't deny that human capital still plays a crucial role in all this. That much was clear when the Lancet Commission report projected that unmet mental health conditions would cost the global economy US$16 trillion in lost output.

Everything between the rising costs of health and disability claims, absences, reduced productivity, and losing talent forms that total. All of these things can easily be connected to a lack of mental health coverage and not enough support in that area. Therefore, focusing on mental health illness amongst employees can help with clearing their problems and, in turn, resolving other company issues such as employee retention, lost productivity, and bolstering company culture.

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Reduces Absenteeism

When a company cares about the emotional well-being and physical health of their workforce, the need to ditch work drops significantly. At the end of the day, a company needs to create a space that encourages people to come to work. When the option of working remotely became available, a lot of people loved it, and that bolstered their productivity.

At the same time, companies that are enforcing return-to-office mandates are faced with employees quitting. In fact, many remote workers would rather quit than return to an office at this rate.

Improves Morale And Retention

On the note of quitting one's job, encouraging and prioritizing one's emotional wellness is more likely to result in employees staying and believing in the company. This is crucial, as so often larger companies missions and goals are lost to employees, and small and medium-sized companies can create that sense too.

One way to capture people's interests is to look after the mental and physical health of employees and provide emotional support if need be. And even if you're still working on overall company objectives and missions, employees that feel valued, respected, and supported are going to feel motivated and committed to the organization regardless.

Allows People To Be More Innovative And Creative

When employees don't have to worry so much about anxiety, stress, or depression while at work, our minds will naturally focus on more productive things. We'll work on our cognitive function, creativity, and how to address the real problems companies face.

This naturally leads to companies growing as the people within the company will come up with new and innovative ways to address issues, work better, and grow the company in their own way.

This can also stave off issues of feeling overwhelmed at work or experiencing burnout.

Improves People's Ability To Manage Stress In The Future

From breathing exercises to other techniques to manage stress, employees that prioritize self-care and emotional support give employees the tools they need to self-manage stressful situations in the future. Stress and emotions are all things that we experience, and providing healthy ways to deal with them—either with healthy relationships or practice mindfulness—can make a big difference.

How To Improve Mental Health In The Workplace

Ensure People Are Heard

Even if people had mild experiences during the pandemic, the mental effects of the pandemic can still linger for years. Beyond that, employees can be faced with all kinds of stressors 24 hours a day that can affect their everyday lives. Things like client or employer expectations, requirement changes, higher workloads, increased costs of living, or the threat of losing one's job.

There is no shortage of reasons to feel stressed out about something. But what's worse is not having much of an opportunity to let that all out.

The reason AI therapists are so popular is that in a world where therapist shortages are everywhere, a chatbot or ChatGPT feels like a better and faster option than paying thousands to see an actual therapist. Furthermore, human services like a therapist can also be hit or miss depending on the therapist.

The rise of AI to be used as a therapist comes from the anonymity of talking about what's on your mind to an insentient machine. It allows people to dump emotional distress without any feelings of guilt, while that can still be present when talking to a human.

Businesses can adopt a similar approach by creating an anonymous mental health box where employees can discuss mental health issues that can then be brought up in group meetings. Another consideration is having managers or staff, regardless of department, check up on people and ask if they can help in any way—work or otherwise.

Another consideration is having an open-door policy where people can discuss their social well-being. Creating this sense that people feel connected to the company and the employees can open up stronger social connections.

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Offer Flexible Work Arrangements

As discovered with the popularity of remote work, companies that are more flexible in working hours and where one works overall can make a positive impact on a person's mood and feelings. Opting for a four-day work week, for example, can allow people the time to spend time with friends or family and also have more time to take care of other life situations.

Aside from that, allowing non-essential workers to pick and choose their own hours allows them to have more control over their emotional well-being as well as their life overall.

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Beyond these overall strategies, some companies might need more specific programs and professional help to address nuanced issues. In these situations, it might be better to look at what national institutes have put together or recommend.

For example, the Mental Health First Aid certification program is one that is available from around the world. The program puts people through the steps necessary to offer support to their fellow co-workers.

Do note that this particular training is designed to remove the fear and hesitation that come from talking about mental health issues. After all, people can face several roadblocks before even considering talking to people about feelings of burnout, stress, anxiety, or even suicidal thoughts.

This program also further provides action plans that guide people to address and identify potential mental illnesses.

There are many programs like this that a company can use to help a person cope with difficult situations. Pick the ones that are best received and encourage employees to use them. Even if it culminates in small acts, those can still make a difference in the recovery of one's mood and help protect them from the worst effects of negative thoughts.

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...Or Bring In Direct Services To Address Mental And Physical Health

From bringing in a professional to do occasional workshops to having an on-site counsellor, having some available in the present moment for employees can make a big difference. Counselling services can also spark the expansion of company well-being programs such as creating comprehensive employee assistance programs, workshops to address stress, and overall encourage people to seek support more often.

Ensure Employees Get Enough Sleep

One aspect of self care that isn't brought up enough is the benefits of quality sleep. Particularly in the western part of the world, many people struggle to fall asleep and get a good night's sleep to begin with. Sleep affects us all and getting enough can be the difference between focusing and being productive at work and feeling unable to do much.

Make Physical And Mental Health A Part Of Company Culture

Outside of a mental health box, employee check-ups on overall health, breathing exercises and relaxation techniques, companies can speak to staff about other methods to reduce stress and reduce feelings of negativity too. The end goal is provide a helpful community that staff can use to cope with and improve their mood.

Assisting With Individuals Goals (Beyond Their Career)

Lastly, the foundation of good relationships stems from one's ability to care and the lengths one will go to be helpful for someone. Making a point of knowing someone's passion projects or other goals can allow opportunities for staff to band together and be helpful.

Managers can also take mentorship rolls as well to further enhance someone's life goals are achieved.

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