By
Kellie Rondon
on
Jul
24,
2024
5 min read
0 comment(s)
As previous posts in our series about suicide and mental health in the workplace have discussed, employers are in a unique position to support their employees’ overall well-being. People spend a lot of time at work, and their jobs may cause or add to existing stress in their lives.
By providing a supportive, caring work environment, employers can make a positive impact on their employees’ psychological health. Accessible mental health resources also can help attract and keep top talent and boost a company’s bottom line.
If you’re committed to helping your employees be mentally well but are finding it difficult to identify practical ways to support them, here are three proven strategies for how to improve mental health in the workplace.
RELATED: Creating Awareness - Addressing Suicide in the Workplace Head-On >>
Research shows that managers and supervisors play a critical role in supporting employee wellness and mental health at work. Company leaders should understand the signs of mental illness and how to proactively interact with employees on the topic. They also should model healthy behaviors and protect employees’ well-being.
Mental health training equips organizational leaders with knowledge that fosters empathy and understanding. Specifically, managers should be trained to:
Demonstrate the company’s commitment to mental health. For example, a manager might go on walks during work breaks, invite colleagues to join or promote mental health by setting aside time for team building or celebrations.
Employers should support workplace mental health and positive employee relationships by instituting and enforcing company policies and programs that:
For workplace health & safety.
As appropriate for the role & business needs.
When it comes to health matters.
Leverage multiple methods of communicating employee assistance benefits
RELATED: Recognizing the Signs Someone is Suicidal at Work >>
When employees feel psychologically safe and valued, trust flourishes. While employers certainly are not responsible for solving all mental health issues in the workplace, an inclusive, welcoming, supportive culture ensures that the employer organization is not contributing to workers’ stress.
The workplace culture becomes a mental health asset when leaders:
RELATED: Suicide at Work - Navigating the Complex Issue of Employee Well-Being >>
Offering mental health benefits and resources, expressing empathy and encouraging employees to take holistic care of themselves shows you care about them, help is available and they’re not alone. These are all actions that can help transform employee grief, anxiety and anguish into employee resilience, optimism and hope.
Or, in business terms, prioritizing employee well-being and mental health often can turn unproductive, withdrawn employees into engaged, high-performing team members. To further support mental health in the workplace, Axcet HR Solutions, a certified PEO.
We have decades of experience helping small businesses implement best practices that foster healthy work environments and drive success. Schedule a consultation to discuss how we could partner to enhance your employees’ mental health and your organization’s long-term success.
Let us know what you think...