How To Create A Workplace That Supports Mental Health: Best Practices

Mental health can have a serious impact on a business. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 80% of adults with depression reported at least some difficulty with work, home, or social activities because of their depression symptoms.

Unfortunately, disorders like anxiety and depression often go undetected for months or years. Unlike physical illnesses, mental health issues are more challenging to pinpoint.

While tackling mental health can be challenging, employers and HR professionals are in a powerful position to help change attitudes and offer a support system. Here are some tangible ways you can help your employees:

Best Practices

• Increase Awareness - Give employees access to education and resources from national organizations such as the American Psychiatric Association, the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, Mental Health America and the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Companies can also develop their own initiatives and programs. 
• Training - Provide opportunities for managers to attend relevant training to support staff living with mental health problems and the well-being of all staff. 
• Encourage Work-Life Balance - Work-life balance is an essential aspect of a healthy work environment and employers should offer flexible work options. Maintaining work-life balance helps reduce stress and helps prevent burnout in the workplace. 
• Develop Mental Health Policies - Without proper mental health policies in place, your company is missing out on a huge opportunity. For example, do you have policies to help prevent discrimination (including bullying and harassment) or prevent stigma around depression in the workplace? If you already have some policies in place, review your current policies and see if they can better support employees. 
• Treat People Fair - According to Tomas, fairness is treating people like they want and deserve, rather than the same. 
• Provide Screening Resources - Employers can look out for their employees’ mental health by encouraging participation in free and anonymous online screenings.
• Monitor Employee Engagement - Pay attention to engagement surveys (engagement is the opposite of burnout). When people are engaged, they are enthusiastic, positive, and proud to be a member of the organization. All of these factors forecast positive well-being.

The full Forbes article can be viewed at this link.