It can be difficult for employers to know how to discuss mental health issues, encourage employees to seek help when needed, and foster a positive work environment that effectively improves the health and wellness of the entire organization. Previously, many employers simply let employees go when repeated offenses occurred, but that changed once the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was introduced.
Employers now have a legal obligation to provide reasonable accommodations to all of their employees. Regardless of legal obligation however, an employee’s health and well-being should always be a priority with a company. And, because nearly one in five adults in the United States live with a mental illness, it is better to address the stigma surrounding mental health in the workplace and offer accommodations than to cycle through employees.
While underperforming members of your team may create a challenging situation, it's important to remember that a decrease in work performance due to mental health complications does not reflect an employee’s entire worth. And, improving the work environment can make all the difference when it comes to retaining employees and managing their health.
Mental Health: Stigmas and Statistics
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, “eight in ten workers say shame and stigma prevent them from seeking treatment for mental health conditions.” While feelings of shame are often a barrier people must overcome on their own, employers can help reduce the stigmas associated with mental health by regularly promoting employee health and wellness.
The American Psychiatric Association has identified three different types of stigmas:
Public stigma: the way others perceive mental health
Self-stigma: negative, internalized feelings
Institutional stigma: policies created by government and private organizations that intentionally or unintentionally limit opportunities for people with mental health complications
Institutional stigmas can be difficult to tackle, and there has been a demand for equal rights for marginalized groups for centuries. For those with mental health complications and other disabilities, the success of the Civil Rights Movement started the push for equality. While the Americans With Disabilities Act was formed in response to institutional stigmas, those surrounding mental health still exist today.
Respectability.org has stated that “not much has changed by way of employment of people with disabilities. The law has done so much to remove physical barriers without removing many attitudinal barriers.” In short, physical barriers and direct discrimination can be addressed by the Americans With Disabilities Act, but the attitudes and feelings maintained by individuals must be changed by own accord—a law cannot force them to do so.
5 Ways Employers Can Support Mental Health at Work
There are a number of ways employers can improve employees’ mental health. Here are some examples:
1. Understand Mental Health
Mental illnesses not only impact the mind, they affect the body as well. Various conditions may cause mental and emotional stress, which in turn leads to a plethora of bodily reactions. Some of the most common are nausea, difficulty sleeping, decreased energy, changes in appetite or weight, headaches, high blood pressure, heart disease, and respiratory disease. Without the proper resources, the severity of these conditions may increase, through no fault of the individual.
2. Include Mental Health Coverage
Offering mental health coverage and an employee assistant program (EAP) demonstrates to employees that their health is taken seriously. Without these assistance programs, it is estimated that complications from mental health issues are costing businesses $31 billion to $51 billion a year in lost productivity due to sick days. Mental health coverage, like an EAP, offers therapy and counseling to those in the workplace and should be included in an employee’s health benefits.
3. Makes Improvements to the Workspace
Natural light, adequate personal space, greenery, and designated quiet spaces are beneficial to the productivity and well-being of office employees. As an employer, you should make your office feels as welcoming as possible, while ensuring each space caters to differing needs. While there are employees who work best in bustling co-working environments, others enjoy occasional alone time. Both anxiety and stress often arise from the design of the workspace itself and can lead to employee burnout.
4. Be Mindful About Workplace Communication
To reduce the stigmas surrounding mental health, speak more openly about these topics and provide educational resources to encourage dialogue. Employees should feel comfortable talking about their mental health. Creating an open environment allows employees to communicate with their employer about what kind of assistance or accommodations they require. Unspoken words often generate miscommunication, so make sure to talk to your employees and listen with both your mind and body.
5. Implement Mindfulness Into the Work Day
Practicing mindfulness at work begins with establishing routines and identifying techniques that work for you personally. Employers should introduce the concept of mindfulness to their employees and give them both the knowledge and tools necessary to apply mindfulness strategies. Employers can openly display their interest in their employees’ health by daily check-ins with their workers. Constant stress that builds throughout the workday is detrimental to the productivity of employees! By modeling mindfulness, employers can set the standard for implementing practices into the work environment.
Practicing Individual Self-Care
As an employer, you should promote individual mental health and wellness, and inform employees of ways to improve their work performance. There are several steps they can take to do so, such as:
Consuming a healthy diet
Exercising
Getting enough sleep (7-9 hours a night)
Joining a support group
Making time for hobbies, friends, and family
Practicing mindfulness with yoga and meditation
Setting realistic goals
Spending time outdoors
By implementing practices that assist employees in bettering their mental health, businesses will have a greater likelihood of retaining employees. Employees appreciate working in business cultures that take an interest in their wellbeing.
Reducing stigma, raising awareness, and increasing available resources are three key steps to improving overall employee mental health and wellness. When employees and their employers can have honest conversations about mental health and how it impacts work environments, can change occur.
Support Your Colleagues
Navigating workplace communication and stigmas surrounding mental health can be complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. Take comfort in knowing that when your employees are happy and healthy, so is your company. To learn more about mindfulness programs and what they can do for your company’s culture, contact Mindfulness Strategies today or visit our blog for more information.