How to support employee mental health at work
Published: April 22, 2024
Employee mental health isn’t just a topic of conversation. It’s also a factor in the success and well-being of your team. By making employee mental health a priority, businesses can build a better culture. But what measures can organizations take to improve employee mental health?
In this post, we’ll cover why employee mental health matters and what you can do to support it as an employer. Then we’ll explore employee mental health strategies you can try in your organization.
Why is mental health important in the workplace?
Mental health is part of overall wellness. It significantly influences employee performance and business success. Below are some key reasons why every organization should focus on promoting mental health.
To combat the stigma around mental health
Despite growing awareness, stigma remains a significant barrier to accessing mental health support. According to a 2023 study published in Frontiers in Psychiatry, 68% of workers experiencing mental health issues often return to roles with reduced responsibilities, fewer working hours, and lower pay compared with before.
This fear of missing out on opportunities can prevent employees from seeking assistance or voicing their struggles. Proactively addressing stigma fosters an environment of openness and support.
To recognize the link between mental health and job satisfaction
Employees facing high stress, anxiety, or depression report lower engagement and satisfaction. According to a 2022 article in Applied Health Economics and Health Policy, mental health disorders reduce productivity while increasing absenteeism. Promoting mental wellness boosts satisfaction and helps employees do their best work.
To enhance recruitment and retention efforts
One-third (33%) of people surveyed in the American Psychological Association’s 2023 Work in America Survey said they plan to look for a new job at a different company or organization in the next year. But among the workers who said they’re unsatisfied with their employer’s mental health and well-being support, 57% intend to seek other employment.
Prioritizing mental health benefits for employees may encourage workers to join or stay on your team. Companies investing in mental health support also signal to prospective hires that wellness matters.
10 strategies to improve employee mental health
Promoting employee mental health isn’t just an option—it’s essential. Are you asking yourself what employers can do for mental health? By taking proactive measures and providing support, organizations empower their people to thrive. Consider these ideas to improve mental health in your workplace.
1. Implement proactive wellness programs
Offering resources and training around mental health can help to identify and address issues before they escalate. Tools like mental health workshops and stress management training equip employees with skills to navigate challenges. These initiatives boost self-awareness while normalizing mental health discussions.
2. Foster a supportive workplace culture
Building empathy and camaraderie among team members is at the core of a supportive culture. Encouraging active listening and validating experiences can go a long way toward showing employees you value them. Also, encourage your team to recognize the accomplishments of others.
3. Provide comprehensive mental health benefits
Complete mental health benefits give employees access to resources when facing mental health struggles. This may include providing resources like counseling services and coverage for medications and treatments. Additional resources like online tools and helplines also empower employees to proactively manage their mental well-being.
4. Offer access to counseling and therapy
One direct way to support mental health is through counseling and therapy access. When possible, include services in insurance plans so employees can get affordable care. If benefits are limited, partial subsidies for out-of-network providers can help.
5. Promote work-life balance and flexibility
Achieving a healthy work-life balance is crucial for wellness and productivity. If possible, try offering flexible arrangements like telecommuting or adjustable hours. Discourage after-hours emails and calls as much as possible to protect employees’ personal time.
6. Provide meals and transportation
Seemingly simple gestures make a big impact on morale. Providing meals or snacks during busy times can reduce stress and energize your team. Also, consider giving rideshare options to help employees take the stress out of their commute or help hybrid workers get to events in the office.
7. Offer mindfulness and stress management resources
Mindfulness and stress management are powerful for workplace mental wellness. Mindfulness training and meditation classes may help employees reduce stress and boost focus. Additionally, stress management workshops offer valuable tools and techniques to navigate difficult times effectively.
8. Start physical wellness initiatives
Incorporating physical wellness programs can boost mental health. Note that not everyone has the same access to or knowledge of activities and exercise. Consider offering subsidized gym memberships or group fitness classes to employees.
9. Introduce wellness challenges and activities
Wellness challenges provide a chance for fun while promoting healthy habits and stress reduction. If you aren’t sure where to start, ask your employees what would interest them the most. Maybe a step-count goal or a mediation challenge would motivate your team.
10. Build internal support networks
Establishing mental health networks within your company is key to a caring work culture. Resource groups provide safe spaces for people to share experiences and seek advice. You can also offer peer support programs that pair individuals together. This way, employees facing similar challenges can connect with one another.
What is an employer’s role in mental health?
Employers play a large role in creating an environment that supports employee mental health. Below are some ways to improve employee mental health and show a responsible commitment to well-being.
Establishing a psychologically safe workplace
Creating a psychologically safe workplace should be at the top of your priority list. One aspect of this is always addressing issues like misconduct and discrimination. Asking for and taking appropriate feedback also creates a supportive environment where employees feel valued and respected.
Training managers to recognize issues
To effectively support mental health, managers need knowledge and tools to spot issues and intervene appropriately. Education on mental health, including understanding common conditions and recognizing symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression, is important.
Providing easy access to mental health professionals and employee assistance programs also ensures that managers have qualified professionals to recommend when assisting struggling employees.
Encouraging open communication
Regular check-ins maintain open communication channels to stay in touch with employee needs. This may look like scheduling one-on-one meetings for employees to express concerns and holding town hall meetings for the organization.
Mitigating workplace stressors
Addressing things at work that cause stress for employees is critical to preventing burnout and protecting mental health. Proactive measures like setting reasonable deadlines and making sure employees are taking breaks, for instance, can help reduce stress.
Prioritize employee well-being with Uber for Business
The health of your people and the health of your business go together. That’s why adopting a holistic approach and encouraging your employees to be open about mental health can create better outcomes for all.
Are you wondering how to help improve mental health in your workplace? Uber for Business has an easy way to do that: our web-based platform makes it simple to distribute and manage offers like gift cards and vouchers.
Gift cards: Provide convenience to your employees with a gift of Uber and Uber Eats. You can purchase gift cards in bulk from multiple countries around the world, making it easy to reach employees in many locations.
Vouchers: Help your employees through their day-to-day, paying fully or partially for rides with Uber and orders with Uber Eats. You can easily create and manage voucher campaigns in just a few steps, and you only pay when the recipient redeems their offer.
Overview
About us
Products
Solutions
By use case
By industry
Customer support
Support
Resources
Learn