{"id":14805,"date":"2022-05-17T11:32:02","date_gmt":"2022-05-17T18:32:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.knowledgecity.com\/blog\/?p=13192"},"modified":"2024-04-02T13:20:54","modified_gmt":"2024-04-02T20:20:54","slug":"mental-health-in-the-workplace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.knowledgecity.com\/blog\/mental-health-in-the-workplace\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Ways to Provide Mental Health Support to Employees"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

This year, we are seeing that more and more employees and managers are eager to talk about mental health in the workplace. Over the past few years, many who work in management have encountered an unprecedented number of reports of stress, burnout, and depression from our employees. We are seeing the consequences of under-supported employees as it affects the overall wellness and culture of our teams. A Willis Towers Watson survey report<\/a> from early 2022 shows that 86 percent of employers are recognizing mental health as a top priority at their companies; however, 49 percent of those employers have not yet strategized how to amplify mental health and wellbeing support for their employees. This article will provide more context around the idea of mental health support at work and will explore some targeted ways to start building better support for your employees.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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\"Diverse<\/a><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

What Do We Mean When We Talk About Mental Health?<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Talking about mental healthcare can be daunting, because we can be referring to several things at once when we say the phrase \u201cmental health.\u201d Like any other aspect of our health, mental health is simply a component of our overall wellness. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines mental health<\/a> as \u201ca state of wellbeing in which the individual realizes [their] own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make contributions to his or her community.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

However, it is possible for us to explore more neutral definitions of mental health as well. For example, we would expect someone who just lost a loved one to respond with grief and sorrow, and they would likely need to take time away from making contributions to the community and working productively. This would be a completely healthy response to a major life event and would not necessarily constitute poor mental health.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

To elaborate on this more neutral view of mental health that allows for the full spectrum of emotions to be felt and explored, consider that we have four main aspects of wellbeing<\/a> that will contribute to the state of our mental health on any given day or at any given hour:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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  1. Emotional wellbeing\u00a0<\/li>\r\n
  2. Physical wellbeing\u00a0<\/li>\r\n
  3. Financial wellbeing\u00a0<\/li>\r\n
  4. Social wellbeing\u00a0<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    Together, all four of these types of wellbeing will contribute to the state of one\u2019s mental health. If someone is undergoing undue financial strain due to an emergency, they will likely feel more stress. If someone has just been diagnosed with a major illness, they may feel grief and sadness as they process the news. Alternatively, if someone has just made a new friend who is bringing them a lot of joy, they may feel more carefree and optimistic. And if an individual has adopted a new exercise regimen, they could benefit from increased endorphins that will enhance both their physical and emotional states.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    As you can see, there are a lot of factors at any given time that impact our mental health. Trying to explore mental health as either \u201cgood mental health\u201d or \u201cpoor mental health\u201d can be limiting to our discussions around how best to support our employees\u2019 mental health at work. Instead, practice taking a neutral stance and creating room for the full spectrum of human experience to come through.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    World Psychiatry proposes the following updated definition<\/a> of mental health:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    Mental health is a dynamic state of internal equilibrium which enables individuals to use their abilities in harmony with universal values of society. Basic cognitive and social skills; ability to recognize, express and modulate one’s own emotions, as well as empathize with others; flexibility and ability to cope with adverse life events and function in social roles; and harmonious relationship between body and mind represent important components of mental health which contribute, to varying degrees, to the state of internal equilibrium.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    Why We Must Talk About Mental Health at Work<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    Quite frankly, we need more conversation around mental health and mental health support in the workplace because our employees are asking for it<\/a>, particularly when it comes to the younger generations. Employees are starting to expect employers to know how to talk to employees about mental health, to provide resources for wellness, and to promote strong work-life balance. This includes, but also exceeds, offering comprehensive wellness packages that include more mental health resources.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    To start learning how to talk about mental health and wellness at work, consider the following work-related risk factors<\/a>, and begin to look out for signs of them in your workplace:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n