Are you searching for ideas to improve mental health in the workplace and prevent burnout during the holiday season? Or maybe your business wants to help employees avoid stress, depression, and anxiety?
Workplaces can be difficult for people who are struggling to handle stress, unable to take time off, or suffering from mental illness.
Employers can also be out of touch with how to support such challenges.
In this article, we will discuss mental health in the workplace, what it is, and how to provide support for employees.
Table of Contents
3 Effects of Poor Mental Health in the Workplace on Businesses and Their Employees
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), poor mental health in the workplace can have a significant impact on employees.
For example, the CDC cites a study from the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry that shows:
About 20% of the time, depression interferes with a person being able to complete a physical task at work; and
About 35% of the time, depression reduces a person's cognitive ability to perform
For these reasons, employers need to understand the effects of poor mental health and job performance.
#1: Poor Mental Health and Stress Can Impact Job Performance and Productivity
One study found that American businesses lose an estimated $225 billion every year because of poor mental health.
Some of the reasons include::
Decreased productivity and job performance
Decreased creativity and innovation
Increased absenteeism
Increased accidents at work
Increased employee turnover
Decreased team morale
Greater difficulty meeting deadlines
To maintain a healthy work environment and optimize job performance, it is critical to address mental health issues and stress on the job.
#2: Poor Mental Health Causes Higher Rates of Disability and Unemployment
There are strong correlations between poor mental health and unemployment.
For example:
Poor mental health can lead to higher rates of disability and unemployment
Mental health disorders can prevent people from being able to work or maintain employment
#3: Depression and Anxiety Have Economic Repercussions
According to the National Institutes of Health, poor mental health in the U.S. costs the economy an estimated $193 billion per year. This is more than the combined annual costs of heart disease and cancer.
Poor mental health can also lead to the increase of:
Unemployment
Poverty and homelessness
Healthcare costs; and
Crime rates
Fostering positive mental health in the workplace is also a way to make a wise investment in your community.
Why the Workplace Is an Optimal Setting to Promote Mental Health Awareness
A few years ago, people dealt with mental health as a private and personal issue.
But in the past two years, more employers have grasped the importance of mental health awareness in the workplace.
As mental health stigma continues to shift, employers are realizing that the workplace is an optimal setting to promote mental health awareness for several reasons, including:
There are already structures in place that help people communicate
The policies and programs for the company come from one central team
Employees can help each other through social support when needed
Employers can offer rewards to encourage healthy choices; and
Employers can track and measure how well employees' work improves.
In addition, the workplace is a place where we spend about one-third of our lifetime. That’s a considerable amount of time at work.
Employers have a unique opportunity to create an environment where people are more likely to feel comfortable discussing their mental health and seeking help.
How to Promote Mental Health and Well-Being in the Workplace as Employers
By now, you may understand the importance of making a positive impact on employee happiness in the workplace, but perhaps you are wondering, “How do you address mental health in the workplace?”
Fortunately, there are various ways to ways to measure workplace wellbeing and promote mental health in the workplace.
Continue reading to learn about three ways you can help promote mental health and well-being at work.
Change the Culture
There are ongoing discussions about the need for change in workplace culture to promote mental health and wellness.
But what does that mean?
Employers can help foster this “buy-in” from employees by encouraging positive interactions at work.
Some examples include:
Promoting open communication
Encouraging employees to be themselves
Promoting creativity and innovation; and
Encouraging collaboration and teamwork
As a result, people may be more willing to ask for help and trust that their welfare is a priority at work.
Create More Sustainable Ways of Working
Today’s businesses need to find more sustainable ways ensuring the well-being of their employees.
One of the best ways to achieve this is for employers to promote and approve employees taking mini-breaks, also known as micro-breaks.
Mini-breaks are a way of taking time off here and there rather than taking a huge chunk of paid time off at once.
Mini-breaks are great for mental health because employees can enjoy the often much-needed rest and relief. These quick breaks can help create a more sustainable way of working.
It may be beneficial for some employees to design their workweek in a way where they may take off Mondays for a string of weeks.
Let’s look at an example of why creating more sustainable ways of working is ideal for employers and employees by using Ryan as a case study.
Ryan, a hard-working employee, is often stressed at work but rarely takes time off.
But why wouldn’t Ryan choose to take some time off from work?
Ryan feels like:
He has too much work to do that prevents him from taking time off
If he takes time off, he believes he will fall behind on his work; and
It will only cause more stress for him to be away from work
But if he does not take time off, even a short mini-break, the situation can become counterproductive.
At some point, not taking time away from work may force Ryan to do it involuntarily because he is on the verge of physical and mental exhaustion.
Ryan’s story is an example of why taking mini-breaks throughout the year is both important and beneficial.
Taking off just one day a week for several weeks may help with decreasing some stress and anxiety that comes from the demands of a regular workweek, and the benefits of taking a break from work extend beyond improved mental well-being, including increased productivity, creativity, and overall job satisfaction.
Sorbet understands the struggle many employees face with mental health and taking time away from the workplace. Which is why we've created a way to remind employees and employers of the importance of positive mental health while encouraging taking time off to recharge.
Foster Deeper Workplace Connections
Research has shown that when employees have strong workplace connections, they are more productive and engaged.
To foster deeper workplace connections, employers can encourage employees to get to know one another beyond working hours.
Managers and leaders in the company can do this by:
Hosting social events after work
Providing opportunities for employees to collaborate on projects; and
Sharing stories about employees’ successes
Employers can also promote communication through messaging platforms, while at work, to help employees connect.
3 Benefits of Mental Health Training in the Workplace
Mental health training in the workplace can provide employees with the tools they need to identify and address mental health issues in themselves and their colleagues.
Are you wondering if the time and energy it takes to do mental health training is worth it?
Below are three benefits of mental health training in the workplace to consider.
#1: Reduced Stigma Regarding Mental Health
Although the negative social stigma regarding mental health has lessened, many people are still reluctant to speak about their mental health issues.
This reluctance may come from a fear of being:
Judged
Misunderstood
Ridiculed; or
Seen as weak
Mental health training can help to break down the barriers that exist between employees and help to create a more open and supportive working environment.
#2: Increased Employee Productivity and Performance
A growing body of research suggests that employee productivity and performance can increase through the use of workplace wellness programs.
For example:
According to a study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, workplace wellness programs that include health screenings and educational programs can lead to a 9% increase in employee productivity.
A study published in the Journal of Health Affairs found that workplace wellness programs can decrease healthcare costs by up to $3.27 per employee per month.
There are benefits for companies to provide mental health training that lead to increased productivity and performance of employees.
#3: Improved Employee Health and Wellness
When health and wellness improve in the workplace, it has many benefits for the employees, such as:
Having increased energy and productivity
Feeling more engaged in their work; and
Experiencing less burnout and stress
There are also benefits for the company, such as a decrease in:
The number of sick days taken by employees
The number of employees who have to go to the doctor; and
Employee health care costs
What Can Employees Do to Improve Mental Health in the Workplace?
Some simple ideas that employees can do to improve mental health in the workplace include:
Getting enough sleep
Eating healthy
Finding work-life balance
Using employee assistance programs; and
Sorbet makes prioritizing mental health a little easier by sending employees reminders to use their PTO. Often, being encouraged to take time off can help employees make their mental health and wellbeing a priority.
Sorbet Helps You Boost Mental Health in the Workplace While Saving Costs for Your Company
Depression, burnout, anxiety, and dissatisfaction have plagued the workplace. This has led to many companies wanting to focus on promoting positive mental health.
Are you ready to help boost your company's employees’ mental health, well-being, and morale?
At Sorbet, we make it easy for businesses to make mental health a priority and encouraging them to take time off by:
Providing a cashing out system for unused PTO
Pre-approving time-off requests; and
Curating with the company’s calendar to ensure there are no conflicts in PTO
What we take pride in the most—helping your company achieve improved mental health and well-being by encouraging time off from work.
Contact us today to learn more about how Sorbet can help your business foster an environment of positive mental health in the workplace.