According to World Health Organization, mental illnesses among US workers account for one trillion dollars in lost productivity every year. Even if the employees struggling with mental health issues barely show their struggle at work, lack of communication, poor decision-making abilities, and unexpected absenteeism can contribute to the loss of productivity.
However, as an employer, you can encourage mental health awareness for your employees to reduce or combat lost productivity. But encouraging mental health awareness can be tricky and challenging. As an employer, you can successfully encourage mental health awareness at work by keeping in mind the following dos and don’ts:
Do – Allow Mental Health Breaks
While most workplaces provide a certain number of sick days to the employees, mental health issues are usually not counted or allowed as sick days. As an employer, you can encourage mental health awareness throughout the team by dedicating a certain number of mental health days to sick days. Don’t ask employees for proof for taking these days either.
Don’t – Keep Mental Health Breaks Limited to Certain Employees
Mental health days should not be limited to the employees who have openly shared their mental health struggles or whose mental health struggles are worse than others. Make the policy of mental health days companywide for everyone to enjoy.
Do – Share Personal Mental Health Challenges
You can lead the employees to be more open and communicative as an employer. However, it has to begin with you. If you have ever been diagnosed with a mental illness, you can share it with your employees to help them feel less alone. But it is not a choice and not a necessity.
Don’t – Share Challenges of Employees
You only have the authority to share or not share your struggles with mental health. Do not use examples of other employees. It is up to each employee dealing with mental health issues to share or not share their struggle with others at work
Do – Provide Mental Health Benefits
The best to encourage mental health awareness as an employer is by extending health benefits for employees to include mental health. Mental health is expensive and minimum wage, and junior workers can miss out on receiving help. However, employers can provide medical insurance for mental health issues to make it easy for employees to receive the help they deserve.
As an employer, the expense you procure by offering this benefit will be very little compared to the losses to help you cut back.
Don’t – Make Assumptions about Mental Health Needs
Just as each of your employees’ talents and abilities is different from each other, so are their mental health needs. Don’t assume anyone’s mental health needs, and don’t try to force any form of treatment on anyone. Mental health breaks and insurance for mental health treatment are subtle yet productive ways to offer help to employees. Don’t put up positivity posters or hold parties to cheer them up.
Mental health awareness at work can encourage employees to seek help in due time rather than suppressing their symptoms at work. A workplace that accommodates and prioritizes the mental health of its employees also earns their loyalty and hard work.
