Mental health deals with the psychological, social, and emotional well-being of humans. It is essential in each stage of life from childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.
The processes of mental health deals on how people think, act, and feel emotions. It also pertains to the choices a person makes, handling of stress, and socializing with other people.
Employees nowadays must have the right mental health to experience the following benefits:
- Ability to focus more on work and be productive
- Build lasting relationships with co-workers and top management
- Cope with the stress they feel at work and with their personal lives
- Protect physical and overall well-being
If an employee experiences emotional problems, his or her performance at work could be affected. In the long run, his or her health can deteriorate, plus s/he can have difficulties connecting with the people around them.
Poor mental health can also lead to more serious physical problems. If not adequately treated, it can even cause the death of an employee.
Thus, employers must be observant for the following signs of a mental health issue, so they can address it properly:
- Anxiety
- Lethargy
- Loss of interest in socializing with coworkers
- Mood swings
- Shifts in eating and sleeping pattern
In this article, we will discuss the tips on how employers can improve the status of their employees’ mental health.
- Review Company Policies
The first thing to do is to review current policies of the company and determine how the system affects the employees.
You can conduct a survey among all the staff, group discussion with team leaders, or a one-on-one interview with the workers, so you can have a clear picture on how the company’s policies affect them and the operation of your business.
Also, you can bring an expert to help you revise company policies that are employee-friendly. You should ensure that all of your employees are working in a safe environment to prevent them from incurring any injuries.
- Let Employees Know That It Is Okay To Discuss Mental Health Problems
Make your employees at ease with the top management, human resource, and their fellow workers and let them know that it is okay to discuss mental health issues.
It would be challenging at first to make them share their problems. Talking can help them lighten their load, but it can also be awkward.
Thus, employers must encourage positive discussions about mental health and remove the stigma in the workplace. Gradually, employees will get back on their feet as they share what they are experiencing to the people they trust in the office.
- Promote a Healthy Workplace
Make your workplace psychologically safe and healthy. For example, make it free from fear and make your communications open with each department.
Also, you can also do the following tips:
- Form group discussions tackling mental health issues
- Post posters around the office to remove the stigma of mental problems
- Make lunchtime stress-free
- Train human resource and the top management on how to handle the mental health problems of their employees
- Go on a picnic or any outdoor activities once in a while
- Create A Balanced Work-Life Schedule
Take a look at the workload and the schedule your company and its effect on the employees. Sometimes, the demands of the business can impact the relationships of the employees with their friends and family members, which can be a cause of mental problems.
As such, you can do the following tips:
- Reduce the frequency of working overtime in a week
- Review current company status and adapt to the needs of the employees
- Encourage staff to adjust to healthy working habits by taking a rest when tired or by having an active lifestyle
- Allow Workers The Flexibility They Need
Lastly, employers must support their employees if they are currently experiencing mental health problems and give them the flexibility they need.
Here are some of the steps on how to do it:
- Encourage employees to attend therapy sessions and other medical appointments to recover
- Allow workers to work flex-time (on any hour of the day)
- Let workers perform duties remotely, away from the office or at their home
Conclusion
In sum, the issues on mental health are becoming popular today because it is significant in a person’s daily life, relationship with other people, and performance in his work.
Problems in mental health vary and its intensity differs from one person to another due to various factors. With that in mind, it is a must to support those people who suffer from problems and remove the stigma of it in society.
For employers who wish to maintain positive mental health for their employees, the first thing to do is to have a healthy lifestyle and set a good example for your workers.
Always stay positive, get enough sleep, and be physically active. If you are experiencing problems, try to develop coping skills, reach out to the right people in your office or at home, and get the professional help that you need.
Disclaimer: This article contains only general information about the mental health of an employee. It is not to be used to substitute data coming from experts. If you wish to know more about mental health, you can visit and ask advice from a registered health professional.
Jean Clark is a professional writer and loves anything to do with law in business or in the public. She is family oriented and she loves spending her free time with her family.
