Mental health is a topic that has been getting more attention in the workplace over the past few years. As leaders, we’ve advocated for policies that help our employees keep mental health a priority. At SupportNinja, we've committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels comfortable talking about their feelings and taking care of themselves mentally as well as physically like through our fitness challenge.
This post will give you some tips on how you, as an employer or company, can create an environment where workers feel supported so they can be healthy in all aspects of life!
The Modern View Of Mental Health
For the past few years, companies have been more vocal about addressing mental illness in the work environment – both as employers who take an active role in ensuring employees feel supported on all levels and co-workers who are mindful during everyday conversations when someone mentions feeling down. This is a step away from traditional thinking that mental health problems were shameful or not to be discussed because they weren’t “real illnesses." Mental illness can affect anyone at any time for various reasons; it's important to break this stigma so we can get back to supporting those with these issues rather than shaming them.
How Good Mental Health Practices Help
Once a company or an individual practices good mental health it comes with real benefits like:
- Better moods throughout the day
- Stronger relationships with coworkers/friends
- Increased productivity
- Reduce absenteeism
- Increased engagement among co-workers
In other words, the cost of mental health in the workplace is high.
Tips On Promoting Mental Health In The Workplace
1. Create a dedicated Slack channel
Take time to create a dedicated channel where your team can feel free to openly discuss what's on their mind. It can provide a support outlet where team members can also drop in their own tips to manage their mental health.
2. Have a virtual HH or craft session
Setting time aside to do something unrelated to work can help alleviate stress and Zoom fatigue. By hosting a simple craft session, coworkers can share new experiences together even when they're apart.
3. Consider hiring a work therapist
Everyone deals with work and stress in different ways. By hiring a professional, you offer your team a chance to talk to someone who can help guide them when they're overwhelmed. This may be tough with today's work culture, but it is one of the most important ways you can help the mental well-being of your employees.
4. Host a fitness challenge or offer a stipend
Give your team a chance to workout, share with their coworkers and reward with them with a prize. Additionally, an education stipend can help your team reach other professional goals by enrolling in online courses.
5. Share a story of when you needed help and how it was received
This will provide insight to team members who are struggling but aren't sure they should ask for assistance.
6. Encourage employees to change up where they work
Whether it's changing their chair, going to a coffee shop (if possible) or even imaginary (listening to calming beach waves), it can rewire how they feel about their day without ever leaving their comfort zone.
Mental Health Is Vital
Providing an environment where every employee feels safe in the workplace is vital to our success as leaders, so are you committed to creating a space that everyone can feel comfortable in?
We hope these changes can help make your and employees' work days better than before.