Mental Health in the Workplace: Solutions for Employers and Employees

You have to admit it: you spend more time at work than at home. With the long hours, work pressure, toxic colleagues, and tight deadlines, who wouldn’t get stressed? Mental health in the workplace should be a legitimate concern to take care of the company and ensure all employees are taken care of.

When employees are taken care of by their company, they feel happier and are more productive at work, which creates a pleasant work environment. Some workers are reluctant to seek mental and emotional health help because of the stigma and worry that it may jeopardize their jobs. This fear and stigma should end, and this is where the employers step in. Employers must promote mental health awareness in the workplace. 

How the Mental Health Wellness of Employees Affects the Company

In the workplace, a line needs to be drawn between being professional and leaving your personal issues at the door. But what if an employee is struggling to cope with their personal problems every day? What if a high-performing supervisor starts to perform poorly? Do companies turn a blind eye to this or do something about it?

Each employee in a company was hired to fulfill a certain job description. Their job role is essential for the company’s productivity and growth. When one employee performs poorly because of mental health disorders, it will undoubtedly impact the company’s performance as a whole. Here are some questions employers can ask to check on the health of their workforce:

• Do you have an employee(s) who calls in sick or is tardy all the time?
• Are there complaints about stress in the work environment, working hours, or workload?
• Do you have an employee(s) who performed well before and is now unproductive?
• Are there workplace conflicts that cause anxiety to some workers?
• Are there mental health programs in the workplace to take care of the mental well-being of the employees?

Workplace depression and anxiety exist, and as the employer, you should try to mitigate or eliminate them. Here are the benefits when the company takes care of the employees’ mental health:

• Lesser turnover rate. Workers do not resign, and the company won’t need to hire new employees to fill the job posts.
• Increased productivity and better job performance. When workers feel happy, it will show their performance at work. This means being productive and better job performance in the workplace.
• Better communication with colleagues. A depressed or anxious person may feel withdrawn from the people around them, which results in poor communication in the workplace. If an employee’s mental health is taken care of, there is better communication with colleagues and teamwork.
• Less Absence and Tardiness: Depression or anxiety causes feelings of hopelessness, lack of motivation, and feeling tired all the time. This results in employees being tardy or absent all the time.

 Solutions for Employers

For employers, supervisors, the big bosses, or the Human Resource department, promoting mental health awareness and stress management in the workplace is a priority. These strategies are proven successful in taking care of the employee’s physical and mental health problems. How exactly can employers do this? Here are the steps: 

1. Workplace Mental Health Survey for Employee’s Well-Being

Start with a mental health survey in the workplace. You can use online mental health screening tests that employees can answer. These surveys can determine which employees have depression or are experiencing a mental health decline. This is also an excellent tool for employees to communicate their concerns in the workplace (conflicts, too much workload, or what stresses them out at work). 

2. Manage Mental Health Problems in the Workplace

Once you’ve gathered the insights into your employees’ mental health state, formulate strategies in managing workplace stress. Make it a priority to address stressors and promote work-life balance. Take care of your employees by ensuring they do not work long hours and get burned out. Your employees need to rest, recharge, and bond with their loved ones so they can have a productive work week. 

3. Organize Fun Team-Building Activities

A fun team-building event improves teamwork, problem-solving skills, and bonding with all employees. Also, it’s an excellent time for all your employees to have fun, a great time to laugh and let loose. Making time for fun and humor through team-building activities increases workplace productivity, reduces stress, and triggers relaxation. 

4. Provide Support and Employee Care

The company should provide mental health services from the human resources department or third-party mental health counseling services. If there are conflicts in the office, promote conflict resolution and do not allow the issues to blow up with the help of mental health professionals. 

Solutions for Employees

Employees should also look after their own mental health issues and extend support to their colleagues who need it. Take steps in caring for your mental health with self-care, taking breaks, and coping mechanisms to manage stress. Here’s how employees can take care of their mental health in the workplace: 

1. Be Physically Healthy

Being physically healthy by eating well and exercising regularly can boost your self-esteem, help you concentrate, sleep better, and feel better about yourself. You take care of your mental health  when you follow a healthy lifestyle. Being physically healthy reduces the instance of mental health conditions.

 2. Take Breaks

File for a vacation leave, go out on weekends, and enjoy your time off work. Taking a break from work is important for your mental health. Use your lunchtime to relax, de-stress, and bond with your colleagues. Working relentlessly can take a toll on your mental health. Remember that quote, “Work to live, do not live to work.” 

3. Ask for Help

If you feel like you’re having a mental health breakdown, ask for help. Talk about your feelings and seek help when you’re overwhelmed with work. Do not allow your feelings to get bottled up. if there is an employee assistance program for mental health in your company, take advantage of it.

Do You Need Counselors in the Workplace?

Kentucky Counseling Center can help if you need mental professionals to take care of your worker’s mental well-being. The professional counselors of Kentucky Counseling Center can handle everything, from the mental screening up to the stress management of all your employees. Call now to inquire about KCC’s mental health company package and avail of their telehealth counseling services.