Have you ever felt overwhelmed and pressured at work, unable to concentrate or complete your tasks successfully? If so, then trust us—you are not alone. Awareness about mental health in the workplace is growing, but is it enough?
Taking care of your mental health at work is as vital as taking care of your physical health. It’s self-care. Unfortunately, in today’s hectic and fast-paced environment, mental health is frequently neglected and ignored. It is a fact that healthy workplaces can significantly improve employees’ mental health and lead to higher productivity, job satisfaction, and personal well-being. If employees feel appreciated, they are less inclined to leave their current employer. According to 2020 research by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), a supportive workplace can help employees handle stress issues and strengthen their mental health.
On the other hand, poor mental health negatively affects focus, motivation, and job performance. In addition, mental illness symptoms may be not only mental but physical as well, such as headaches, exhaustion, and insomnia. And there is more to that. Personal relationships and overall life quality may be seriously affected.
Yet employers, even nowadays, tend to struggle with creating and maintaining a healthy work environment. But it’s never too late to make a difference and take care of their mental health. If you are an employer, these 4 practical tips are for you:
- Provide an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
It is about professional help for employees who deal with personal difficulties and their mental health.
- Be there for the members of your team.
Be open to listening and discussing their struggles without judgment.
- Make space for education.
Provide workshops, training sessions, or any other ways that will educate employees about mental health disorders, stress management and well-being.
- Taking a pause is vital for well-being.
Encourage employees to take breaks and to make their mental, personal and physical health a priority.
- Use HRMS for improved Recognition and Reward Systems
To help your people feel valued, appreciated, and rewarded for their accomplishments, try using HRMS to establish and handle recognition and reward programs. This will not only increase your employee morale and engagement, but it will also contribute to a happy and productive workplace. Join the k.people HRMS 60-day free trial today, with easy set-up and without a credit card.
Of course, only following these steps isn’t enough. Employers should go much further and search for the roots to understand what really causes the mental health issues employees are facing in the workplace. If you are an employer, don’t forget that mental health is equal to physical health and should not be overlooked or ignored. Instead, it may be encouraged and preserved with awareness and an open mind.
