How to Improve Mental Health in Your Workplace

As passionate as we can be about our jobs, facing and handling high levels of stress and uncertainty is a regular occurrence. Employees might be in love with what they do but they are often overstressed, overworked, and riddled with anxiety as well as depression. Sadly, people hesitate to talk about mental illnesses and mental health, which makes it difficult to figure out just how much they have on their plates. If you’re hoping to improve mental health in your workplace and make it more comfortable to work in, here’s what you need to do. 

Workspace design that’s mentally healthy 

It’s of utmost importance that your workplace makes employees feel positive and energized. Lack of natural light, too much or too little sunshine, not enough fresh air, and uninspiring view can all take toll on people’s mental health.  When people feel comfortable in their workplace, their productivity and energy levels rise, which is why you should ensure they feel good while in the office. Make it easier for employees to come to work by bikes and public transport or to move around during their breaks. You can provide them with showers and comfy bathrooms so they can freshen up after being physically active.  

Don’t be quiet about mental health

The sad truth is that a lot of people struggle with mental illnesses in silence because there is a stigma around it. Many people won’t look kindly on someone who struggles with anxiety or depression, but this attitude shouldn’t be in your workplace. Mental illness isn’t taboo, and you should be making that clear to each and every one of your employees. Talk openly about mental health and illnesses, share articles, talk about a show that you watched or a podcast you were listening to. When you aren’t ashamed to discuss these things, others will soon realize they aren’t alone.

Offer relevant tools and resources

A good employer goes above and beyond to provide their employees with information, tools, and resources that could help them improve their mental health. On the other hand, if the information you provide is outdated and resources aren’t easily accessible, you’re not doing anyone a favour. On the contrary, irrelevant and outdated info can even be harmful in the long run, which is why you should always be on the lookout for new sources. Find a personal development course for your employees and offer them a chance to work on themselves a bit. They will develop their competencies and capacities and become more relaxed and confident in the process. 

Ensure anonymity and confidentiality

Even with all of the effort you’re actively making to have mental health talk be normalized and present in your workplace, don’t forget that there are people who don’t want to be open about it. There will be employees who don’t want to discuss their situations and struggles in front of others, and that’s perfectly fine. It’s your task as their employer to ensure that everything they say remains confidential and that their struggles stay behind closed doors. This is particularly important if they are currently struggling (or have at some point in the past) with PTSD, trauma, severe depression, or addiction of any kind. Let them know that their privacy will always be your most important concern and that you’ll never track their use of available mental health resources.

Encourage mental health days off

If you’ve had a policy that anyone absent from their workplace has to provide you with a doctor’s note (or some other “legitimate” reason) if they’ve missed work, it’s high time you stopped. There will be days when someone will struggle to get out of bed and do their work, and they might need a mental health day off to ensure they stay productive when they come back. Every now and then, your body needs a break, and these days off are a great part of preventative health. Allow your staff to miss work occasionally so they can recharge as this will help prevent more serious health issues down the road.

If you’re having difficulties discerning whether your employees are chronically stressed, anxious, and depressed, it’s better to err on the safe side. Yes, they might be having a couple of bad days, but bad days easily pile up and become bad weeks and months. Feel free to assume that the amount of work they’re handling can feel overwhelming sometimes, and every now and then go above and beyond to ensure they feel appreciated and respected. Prioritize employee’s mental health and well-being, and you’ll see their happiness and productivity skyrocket.