How to Support Positive Mental Health in the Workplace

The success and longevity of a business are dependent, in large part, on the good mental health of its employees. Workers with good mental health tend to be motivated, engaged, and productive. They also tend to be resilient in the face of stressors, challenges, or setbacks, plus able to come up with creative, innovative solutions and contribute positively to the overall success of the organization.

Poor mental health in the workplace, on the other hand, tends to result in reduced productivity, greater error rate, poor morale, increased absenteeism, and higher employee turnover, which can lead to a decrease in company revenue.

Causes of Poor Mental Health in the Workplace

The environment of a workplace can contribute to poor mental health in many ways:

• unclear communications
• lack of clear roles and expectations
• inadequate training for the position you’re expected to fill
• unrealistic demands
• excessive workloads
• inflexible work schedules
• underuse of skills
• poor or unsafe working conditions
• understaffing
• authoritarian supervision
• stress
• burnout
• lack of support

Other exacerbating factors include lack of teamwork, discrimination, stigma against mental health issues, favoritism, harassment, job insecurity, inadequate pay, struggling to balance family/work demands, and financial strain.

Impact of Poor Mental Health in the Workplace

Just as work-related stressors can have an impact on your mental health, overall psychological well-being can affect your work performance and productivity, as well as the company’s bottom line. The following are some examples.

Strained relationships with superiors Supervisors have a significant impact on their employees’ day-to-day job experience and work-life quality. A boss who micromanages every detail, for instance, can undermine his or her employees’ confidence by causing them to feel that he or she does not trust their competence or ability to perform duties.

Or a manager who has unrealistic expectations for deadlines or sales quotas can create an environment of constant stress in which over-tasked employees are at risk of being unable to meet expectations and feel anxious and vulnerable.

Reduced effectiveness and costly mistakes Employees burdened with mental health issues such as depression or anxiety brought on by chronic job-related stress may be physically present but not fully engaged. They are likely to be distracted and unable to fully focus on the task at hand, increasing their likelihood of making errors, and leading to reduced efficiency, productivity, and ability to solve problems.

Decline in company revenue Whereas strong employee mental health in the workplace fuels strong profits, poor mental health leads to stressed, unhappy employees. Thus, a decrease in creativity, productivity, and engagement with frequent absenteeism. Such circumstances make it hard for the business to keep its edge over the competition.

Low morale Employees who are happy with their jobs tend to be loyal employees. In an unhealthy workplace where interactions between employees and supervisors are tense, morale tends to be low. Also, where there is little room for growth or a sense of accomplishment, there is higher turnover of employees.

Strategies For Supporting Positive Mental Health in the Workplace

Creating a healthy workplace with mentally healthy, engaged employees is an ongoing process. The following are some strategic steps you can take.

Encourage open communication Create a supportive environment where open communication is encouraged and employees feel comfortable seeking help and support when they need it. Cultivate openness to discussing challenges they may be experiencing without fear of stigma or repercussions.

Offer a good mix of benefits Help your employees feel less stressed about their health and financial needs by providing benefits such as affordable health insurance, a retirement plan, and a financial fitness support program. Provide opportunities and resources that promote employee mental health. Highlight the mental health supports that are part of the package, as well as how to access them.

Have a flexible scheduling option Help promote work/life balance by providing employees with flexible work arrangements. For example, an option to work modified hours or be able to telecommute.

Provide training and access to counseling Equip employees with tools to be able to successfully handle workplace stressors by providing them with training on stress management and resiliency. Ensure they have confidential support available when needed.                 

Schedule regular check-ins Schedule regular meetings with your employees to discuss how they are doing and address any issues they may have. A focused approach can catch small problems before they have a chance to escalate. It’s also a way to show your employees that you have an interest in them as individuals.

Have a confidential internal communication system A confidential internal system that employees can use to contact Human Resources or their supervisor should they have a question or issue to discuss can help keep them stay connected and enable them to get a quick response.

Include workplace perks Consider using workplace perks such as challenges or fitness programs. Develop ways of acknowledging a job well done and expressing appreciation of service.

Support employee mental health Create a workplace environment where employee mental health and well-being are a priority, and where every team member feels valued, respected, and safe. Educate management and employees about signs and symptoms of mental health concerns so red flags can be identified early and timely support can be provided to those in need.

Remove mental health stigma by having wellness days or weeks, and by offering expanded counseling benefits or apps. Include mental health topics in regular employee and staff gatherings. For example, information on stress management or how to cope with anxiety. Invite mental health professionals to come in for optional seminars.

Lead by example Role model work/life balance for your employees by engaging in healthy behaviors yourself. Model self-care by taking your breaks, using your vacation days, taking time off for appropriate appointments to promote wellness. Start with setting good boundaries and encourage them to do the same.

Foster a safe, collaborative work environment If someone is struggling to keep up with their work because of a mental health issue, provide a safe place to ask for help. If there are factors that are making it difficult to get tasks done, determine if adjustments can be made.

Promote wellness at work Find ways to promote wellness at work by making it a daily part of employees’ routine. Have a lunch break walking club, create a peaceful area in the facility for reflection or meditation, or start the day off with some deep breathing exercises.

Support healthy boundaries Support healthy boundaries in the workplace by establishing clear policies and procedures. Ensure correspondence is sent during work hours only, except for emergencies. Encourage flexible schedules with sustainable workloads to prevent burnout.

Provide an employee assistance program (EAP) Provide an EAP program to help connect employees with services they may need such as childcare, fitness programs, wellness initiatives, and counseling referrals with access to health-related resources such as mental health workshops and wellness seminars.

Healthy Ways to Cope with Workplace Stress

Communicate Talk openly with your supervisors and coworkers about how job stress is affecting your well-being. Taking a collaborative approach to find what is causing issues at work helps you find possible solutions.

Take regular breaks Work breaks help you relax, recharge, give your energy a boost, and reset your mind to focus on the task at hand. Disconnect from work briefly by stretching, stepping outside for a few minutes of fresh air, taking a short walk, having a healthy snack, or checking in with a supportive coworker.

Doing any of this can help you de-stress, increase your focus, enhance your productivity and performance, and give your creativity a boost to promote overall well-being.

Practice self-care Make sure you get enough sleep, eat well, stay hydrated, and do some regular exercise. In addition, make room in your life for things that relax you and bring you joy in relationships and/or hobbies.

Consider counseling Counseling provides a safe, nonjudgmental space in which you can discuss your concerns with a trained mental health professional. The benefit is to help you understand and address your thoughts and feelings about work. Plus equip you with coping strategies for managing stress and anxiety to prevent burnout.

Contact us if you would like to set up an appointment to meet.