This article was developed via a partnership with BetterHelp.
Are you a business owner or a manager looking to improve your workplace? Or maybe you are an employee wishing to educate your leaders and CEOs about the importance of mental health.
Many companies are currently implementing mental health awareness in the workplace. And there are many reasons that businesses and their employees are benefiting from this awareness.
Learn why mental health is important in the workplace and how a lack of understanding can make or break a business. Also, learn how it could make you a better business owner!
Why Mental Health is Important in the Workplace
Teaching the importance of mental health to your employees should go beyond mental health awareness month. As a company, you can truly make a difference by making mental health a priority every week, instead of once a year.
Our mental health determines how we think, feel, and act. If employees spend a minimum of forty hours a week at work, the effects on their mental health are bound to affect their working capabilities.
If your employees are practicing healthy mental health habits, you will be improving their relationship with you and with their job. For example, they will feel more comfortable approaching you with ideas and game-changing plans if they feel that you support them.
Making the company’s mental health a priority is one of the best steps to growing a stronger business.
The Effects of Poor Mental Health in the Workplace
If someone is experiencing poor mental health, then it will surely show in their work performance. Common effects of poor mental health include a person’s ability to focus, sit still, stay engaged, and more. When someone lives with a mental health disorder or concern, they may find it difficult to manage their mental health and job responsibilities.
Other effects could include a lack of productivity, important connections, and good decision-making. By ignoring mental health in the workplace, you could inadvertently be the impeding success of your business.
How to Implement Mental Health Awareness in the Workplace
If you are ready to implement more mental health awareness in the workplace, there are three easy ways that you can execute it today!
Mental Health Days Off
You could begin by giving your employees mental health days off. This time off works similarly to sick time off. Your employees or coworkers would be allowed to take a day off to care for their mental health. This could mean that they take a day off after a hard, stressful week or if they noticed that they haven’t spent enough time with their family. While giving your company more time off can feel counterintuitive, you will make better employees in the long run!
Regular Check-In Meetings
Another way to bring awareness to mental health is by having regular check-in meetings. Despite your day filled with emails, phone calls, meetings, and customer service, this meeting will be extremely productive for your team as well. A mental health meeting is a short meeting where you create a space for employees to talk about how they may be feeling or what is causing them to worry. With these meetings, you can learn more about your company’s role in your employee’s health and how you can make subtle changes to improve your business.
Boost Morale
Lastly, use some of your free time to boost the morale of your staff! It does not have to take a large portion of the budget to bring happiness into the workplace. You can start by bringing in sweet snacks to the office or you could organize a company picnic. Some leaders may even allow employees to leave early at the end of the week. Organizing friendly surprises for your employees is a great way to show them that you care about them and you want them to feel comfortable and happy within your company.
Photo Credit: iStock