No images? Click here
When it’s Important to Stay in the Know.
Taking Steps to Support Employee Mental Health
Creating a healthy, productive workplace requires more than ensuring team members have the physical tools needed to do their jobs. With issues such as burnout on the rise — and growing evidence of the impacts one’s mental state has on physical well-being — employers must factor mental health considerations into the work environment. Your BCH team has compiled an overview of tools you can incorporate into your employee wellness approach, as well as trends taking hold in today’s workplaces. Read on for insights aimed at creating a healthier environment for all when it matters.
Strategies for Supporting Mental Health in the Workplace
Mental Health Awareness — Having an open dialogue about mental health in the office can make team members feel safe and comfortable about the concept. It also increases the likelihood that employees will approach managers or coworkers about wellness concerns.
Flexible Scheduling — Employees struggling with work-life balance may benefit from more flexibility in the workplace. Frequent breaks, mental health days, hybrid schedules and flexible work hours are solutions many companies have embraced in the last few years.
Addressing Stress — Surveys show most Americans admit to feeling work-related stress. Providing resources and guidance to help manage stress can relieve tensions and establish healthy coping mechanisms.
Employee Benefits and Resources — Many organizations have reevaluated benefit offerings to ensure employees have access to mental health services and resources. Examples may include upgrading employee insurance coverage to include therapy sessions or offering paid time off for mental health concerns.
Manager Training and Education — Management should be able to recognize signs of mental illness, excessive stress and bullying in the workplace. Every organization should implement a program that teaches leaders how to handle mental health concerns and meet regularly to address environmental factors contributing to stress.
Mental Health Benefits: Trends to Watch in 2023
Mental Health Programs — Last year, nearly half of large companies reported an increase in workers using mental health services and paid leave requests. To support the need for additional resources, many organizations will offer assistance programs apart from regular health plans.
Scheduling Flexibility — Several businesses have adopted policies to better suit a dispersed workforce since the pandemic. Now, more companies are giving employees autonomy over their schedules, increasing workweek flexibility and offering hybrid alternatives.
Virtual Health and Wellness — Telemedicine has become increasingly popular since COVID-19, especially for nonemergency healthcare visits. Companies are adding coverage for virtual therapy, specialist visits and access to on-demand health professionals.
Mental Health Education — Companies have found through surveys that many individuals experience burnout or stress without understanding how to manage it. Manager training, employee communications, seminars and educational sessions about mental health literacy are a few resources employers use to combat these statistics.
Improved Focus on Individuals — The concept of nurturing employee wellness has proved beneficial for many corporations. Checking in on employees more frequently and having candid discussions about mental health can help address concerns in a timely manner.
Team member mental health has impacts far beyond the individual affected. It can lead to lower productivity, decreased safety and other concerns that place your business at risk. Here, we lay out a few factors every employer should consider — and steps you can take to create a more supportive environment.
Your BCH Risk Management Center
Offers 24/7 Support
With HR resources to help keep your company compliant, informed and protected, and benefits tools that streamline hiring and make open enrollment easy, our online Risk Management Center (RMC) is all about convenience.
Being There When it Matters for 40 Years and Counting.
