Life is hectic for everyone at times. During these periods, the ability to navigate the day-to-day responsibilities of work, home, and family becomes overwhelming. Before long, feelings associated with increased stress, anxiety, and even depression can impact your physical and mental health.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. With 1 in 5 U.S. adults experiencing mental health disorders in a given year, employers are encouraged to work to understand the best ways to support their workforce. A work environment that destigmatizes issues surrounding mental health concerns is necessary for today's workforce.
Can Employers Realistically Help Employees Achieve Better Mental Health?
Employers are not responsible for the happiness of their workers, but the environment created in the company culture and position requirements do take a toll on employees.
Companies looking to establish processes that actively work to support employees and address mental health can try the following cost-saving procedures to gauge the mental standing of employees:
Send out a company survey where employees can answer questions about their mental health anonymously and create a workforce safety plan.
Establish a method of checking in with small groups of teammates to provide education and open mental health discussions.
Prioritize mental health resources like telehealth services for benefits or low-cost digital options like Calm or Talkspace.
It is essential for employers who offer these resources to ensure that employees are aware of how to utilize them correctly.
Combine Resources From Employer With Personal Tracking Habits
While employers need to look into providing resources for employees, the burden is not solely on them. Employees should take their own measures to track their day-to-day mental health and work with the employer to improve resources.
Here are some tips for employees to consider when tracking their mental well-being and advocating for more resources:
Consider using apps like Headspace to pinpoint anxieties and develop methods to reduce stress.
Speak out and share personal experiences with navigating mental health concerns.
Work with the employer to create a comprehensive guide or list of resources.
These are steps any employee struggling with their mental health should consider, but traditional methods of exercising, properly resting, and eating healthy are proven to help.
Takeaway
May is a great time to review and implement mental health protocols for employees. As we close out the month, Integrity HR Management strongly recommends employers use these tips as tools to monitor throughout the rest of the year.