May is Mental Health Awareness Month. One in five people will experience a mental illness in their lifetime (Mental Health America), so it is highly likely that someone in your workforce has been impacted. Additionally, even those without diagnosed illnesses will at some point face a stressful or difficult situation that challenges them.
Traditionally workplace health awareness initiatives have focused mainly on physical health, but mental health is just as important for overall employee well-being. Addressing these issues openly and genuinely will go a long way in keeping your team engaged.
Why is Mental Health Awareness in the Workplace Important?
Creating a supportive environment for mental health in the workplace isn't just the right thing to do; it also delivers tangible results for your organization. From productivity to retention, addressing these challenges head-on creates a stronger, more resilient workforce.
Lowered Productivity
Employees who struggle with their mental health in the workplace are less likely to be engaged and productive. Depression and anxiety, two employee mental health issues, cost the global economy an estimated $1 trillion annually due to lost productivity, according to the World Health Organization.
Increased Turnover
Employees are increasingly concerned with how their employer supports their overall wellness, both physically and emotionally. In fact, employee mental health is a major factor in someone’s decision to leave a job, especially for younger generations in the workplace.
Fifty-percent of millennials and 75% of Gen Z left a job because of mental health, according to a 2019 survey. Recognizing this and providing tools and support can go a long way toward improving mental health awareness in the workplace.
Higher Healthcare Costs
Not recognizing mental health in the workplace can impact your company's bottom line due to higher healthcare costs. Seventy-percent of adults in the US reported experiencing symptoms of stress, such as feeling anxious or developing a stress headache, according to the CDC.
Employee mental health issues – in addition to physical health issues – make health care costs two to three times higher.
The Employee Mental Health Benefits of a Supportive Workplace
Investing in mental health in the workplace is smart business. Companies that prioritize employee well-being see remarkable returns that affect everything from your culture to your bottom line.
Improved Team Collaboration and Morale
When employees feel supported in their mental health journey, the entire team dynamic transforms. Employee mental health benefits extend beyond individual wellness to create stronger team bonds and more effective collaboration.
Research shows that workers who feel a strong sense of belonging at their organization were 2.5 times less likely to feel burned out from their work. Organizations that prioritize mental health frequently report improved communication and greater creative problem-solving among teams.
Enhanced Company Culture and Reputation
Organizations that prioritize mental health in the workplace build stronger cultural foundations. Employee mental health benefits include becoming an employer of choice in today's competitive job market.
Studies indicate that approximately 22% of job seekers consider mental health benefits very important when applying for or accepting jobs. Companies known for mental health awareness in the workplace attract top talent and retain their best performers.
Work-Life Integration That Works
The boundaries between work and personal life have blurred significantly in recent years. Supporting employee mental health benefits everyone by promoting sustainable work habits that prevent burnout.
Research shows that workplace flexibility, including arrangements like working partly from home, can have beneficial effects on reducing depressive symptoms, stress, and emotional exhaustion. This balanced approach creates sustainable performance rather than the boom-and-bust cycle of overwork followed by recovery.
Reduced Stigma and Increased Trust
Breaking down the barriers around mental health discussions creates lasting organizational change. Employee mental health benefits multiply when people feel safe sharing their challenges without fear of judgment.
Leadership commitment to employee mental health is a critical component of building trust. In fact, leaders who consider mental health in the workplace a priority and publicly commit to improvement strategies show significantly better outcomes. When management prioritizes mental health, employees demonstrate greater commitment to organizational values.
Signs of Mental Health Issues in the Workplace
Identifying potential mental health challenges early can make all the difference. Being alert to these indicators is all about knowing when to offer support and resources for mental health in the workplace.
Common Warning Signs
Managers should be attentive to behavioral changes that might signal mental health struggles. Recognizing potential mental health issues in the workplace requires observation, not diagnosis.
Watch for decreased productivity, withdrawal from team activities, increased absences, difficulty concentrating, irritability, or significant changes in work quality. These subtle shifts often appear before more serious symptoms develop.
The Difference Between Stress and Chronic Issues
Everyone experiences stress, but chronic mental health challenges present differently. Employee mental health concerns become more serious when temporary stress transforms into persistent patterns.
Occasional deadline pressure differs significantly from ongoing anxiety that affects daily functioning. Understanding this distinction helps create appropriate mental health awareness in the workplace and ensures timely intervention when necessary.
Creating a Safe Space for Disclosure
Employees are more likely to seek help when they feel secure. Fostering mental health in the workplace means creating environments where people can speak up without consequences.
Studies show that scheduled, regular meetings allow teams to continually work on problems together and check in with one another. Regular check-ins that normalize mental health discussions significantly increase the likelihood of employees disclosing challenges before they escalate.
How to Improve Mental Health in the Workplace
Taking action on mental health doesn't require massive organizational overhauls. With thoughtful planning and consistent implementation, any company can make meaningful progress on supporting employee well-being.
Implement Health and Safety Policies
Stress and burnout can be exacerbated by having an unsustainable workload or an unsafe work environment. Implement health and safety policies, such as ensuring employees take breaks and are not pressured to unrealistic deadlines that make them more likely to take risky shortcuts. Also consider implementing an annual safety review of these policies.
Establish Zero Tolerance Policy for Workplace Bullying
Bullying is not an issue that only affects school-aged children. Workplace bullying and harassment is a serious issue, with nearly four out of ten workers having experienced it, according to a 2019 survey.
When it comes to mental health awareness in the workplace, establish a zero-tolerance policy for bullying. It can include everything from physical contact to purposeful ostracizing.
Training for Managers and Leaders
Equip your leadership team with the skills to support their reports. Employee mental health benefits dramatically when managers receive proper training.
Research shows that supervisor support and leadership is an important work resource capable of reducing burnout levels in employees. Invest in programs that teach recognition of warning signs, appropriate intervention techniques, and effective resource referrals.
Flexible Work Arrangements
Adaptable policies demonstrate trust and support well-being. Mental health awareness in the workplace starts with acknowledging diverse needs.
Research indicates that nearly 70 percent of professionals feel their employers aren't doing enough to prevent or alleviate burnout. Flexible schedules, remote work options, and results-focused management rather than time-monitoring can significantly reduce workplace anxiety.
Communicate the Support Available to Employees
Even if your company takes employee mental health support seriously, do not assume that employees realize it. It is essential to communicate the support available to your workforce, such as employee mental health programs or other resources.
In fact, only 14% of workers reported senior leadership discussing the importance of mental health awareness in the workplace, according to an Accenture survey.
What's Next?
One tip to improve awareness of mental health in the workplace is to start small. Communicate about existing resources at your next staff meeting or check in on the mental health of your direct reports at your next touch-base. Then make sure to put an overall strategy together to address employee mental health in the future.