Workplace mental health is an increasingly important issue for employers and company directors. In this guide, we’ll discuss the best ways to improve mental health and well-being at work.

Research suggests that around 76% of US employees have at least one symptom of a mental health disorder. Mental health issues have become increasingly prevalent during the pandemic. The average person spends around 36 hours per week at work. The workplace can play an instrumental role in well-being. While work pressures are one of the most common causes of stress, anxiety, and depression, an inclusive, supportive, inspirational work environment can help to reduce the risk of mental illness. This article will highlight the best ways to improve and protect employee mental health.

The best ways to support workplace mental health

Mental health still has a stigma attached to it, but people are starting to talk about mental well-being more. Employers have a responsibility to champion physical and mental health. Here are some effective ways of improving mental health in the workplace:

• Providing access to support and implementing policies that promotes and benefits mental health

One of the most effective changes employers can make is to implement policies and guidelines that actively promote mental health and tackle common problems and risk factors. Employee health benefits should not be focused solely on physical health, and employees and employers should be aware of the importance of protecting and enriching mental health. Providing flexibility, a healthy work-life balance, offering access to mental health support and training, and encouraging communication can all help. This may include supporting access to therapists or talking treatments, or using a service such as workplace chaplains, which enable individuals and groups to talk with people, share feelings and thoughts and seek help from trained care teams. 

• Creating an inclusive, supportive culture

Many people are reluctant to talk about mental health. They feel able to approach their boss if they have back pain or migraines, but they won’t divulge symptoms of mental health conditions. As an employer or a staff leader, it’s hugely beneficial to try to create a culture that gives employees the confidence to be more open. Employees should be able to discuss mental health and ask for help or advice without worrying about what their colleagues will think or how their boss will react. 

• Encouraging people in positive behavior

We all have mental health, and everyone can be proactive in trying to reduce the risk of mental illness. Many people take steps to lower the risk of physical health problems. The same attitude should be taken towards mental health. Employers can encourage positive behavior to champion both physical and mental health. Establish clear working hours and guidelines to help employees avoid work-related stress and achieve a healthier work-life balance, provide opportunities to take breaks, promote socialization and collaboration, open up channels of communication, encourage regular exercise and healthy eating, and try to inject enjoyment into the working week. 

What this means for Employees

Workplace mental health has become a subject of intense discussion among employers and employees. If you run a business or you lead a team, there are several steps you can take to support employees and improve mental health at work. Provide access to help and support, create a culture that enables employees to open up and talk about mental illness, offer training, and encourage positive behaviors and habits to achieve better physical and mental well-being. 

At Marketplace Chaplains we have experience in improving your company’s workplace wellness by providing you with many chaplain services.

Contact us today at 1-800-775-7657.