Extended from yesterday’s post, here are more ways that you can promote mental health awareness across your organization.
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Provide Comprehensive Benefits Packages and Relevant Assistance
While it may seem obvious to offer mental health benefits that cover therapy and counseling costs, it may not be obvious that other healthcare benefits can also help with mental illness, too. For example, routine physical exercise and healthy eating habits also decrease stress levels and the likelihood that someone will get depressed or anxious. So, offer a variety of healthcare options that allow employees to take care of their physical bodies, as well as their mental states.
Employers that offer more paid time off have employees who are a lot less stressed and a lot more satisfied at work, too. And that means that they’re less likely to develop mental illnesses or engage in absenteeism or presenteeism. (Mental Health America)
Allow Employees to Have More Control Over What They Do and Their Career Trajectories
Overall, results from the Workplace Health Survey conducted by Mental Health America confirmed that employees are motivated by an increased trust from management, more control over their work and/or schedules, and accessibility to job skills and responsibilities.
Employees who have more control over what they do on an everyday basis and are able to actively engage and determine their own learning and development paths are a lot less likely to suffer from mental illness.
Develop Empathetic and Effective Managers and Leaders
According to the same Workplace Health Survey, 64% of employees don’t think that their supervisor will help them when things get tough. And most employees do not get the emotional support they need to handle their stress or anxieties in the workplace.
Develop your managers and leaders to empathize with their employees, and offer them resources and opportunities that will help them alleviate their employees’ stress and anxieties. And train them how to better manage workloads and responsibilities so that everyone gets the chance to take a break when needed.
Offer Flexible Working Conditions and More Opportunities for Work/Life Balance
When employees have more control over their schedules and workloads, they’re happier, more productive, and a lot less likely to develop a mental illness. Encourage your employees to work from home when they need to, at least a few times a month.
And encourage them to enjoy time with their family, friends, or engage with a hobby when they’re not at work so that they can have a better work/life balance. If necessary, offer them ideas and coaching for how to best maintain a work/life balance so that they’re not distracted or stressed out while they’re at work.
Be sure to keep the information above and in yesterday’s post nearby as you promote mental health awareness across your organization.