A person’s mental health is as equally important as their physical health, whether at work or home. In the workplace, it can have a huge impact on productivity, engagement, and even the physical health of employees. There is also much more awareness regarding mental health in today’s world, and employers need to manage this just like any other illness or injury.

However, it’s not just about dealing with mental health issues when they present. It’s about providing a safe environment where staff members are able to be their true selves without fear of judgment. Let’s look at some of the best workplace mental health strategies, from promoting open discussions about mental health to implementing supportive policies.

Promote an open culture about mental health

Being able to talk openly and honestly about mental health issues is crucial to building a positive, safe workplace. This can include encouraging open discussions about mental health and removing the associated stigma. Generally, mental health awareness training is a good starting point. Building a culture where people can speak freely about their issues removes a lot of the stigma surrounding mental health.

However, it’s also important that employees clearly understand privacy policies. Talking openly about mental health, in general, is encouraged, but you must never talk about other people’s health without their involvement.

Implement mental health policies and programs

As part of building your mental health-friendly culture, you can implement a range of programs and policies. This way, when issues crop up, all managers and employees are equipped to deal with them. Why not try:

· Wellness programs promoting physical and mental health.

· Employee Assistance Programs offering counselling and other mental health support services.

· Flexible work arrangements accommodating employees dealing with mental health issues.

You should also have a clear policy in place to handle all employee health concerns. This way, you have a wide range of options available to support your staff members.

Provide mental health training for managers

Managers are often the first point of contact for an employee dealing with mental health concerns. As such, they need to know how to handle the situation confidently. Mental health training for managers is always recommended. These courses help break down the stigma and help managers notice warning signs and understand different conditions. With greater understanding from managers comes greater support for employees.

Encourage work-life balance

Maintaining a good balance between work and home life is crucial for a person’s mental health. This means taking breaks, taking time off when necessary and using leave entitlements appropriately. It may also include provisions to work from home where required or any other adjustments that suit the employee’s circumstances. Work-life balance should be encouraged because overworked people tend to burn out and be unproductive. On the flip side, supported employees feel engaged and committed to doing their best work.

So, the benefits are clear for both employers and employees. It’s important to note, though, that everybody is different. Some may enjoy doing their work and heading home, while others love to get heavily involved in their work. A healthy workplace supports all types of people, no matter their interests or circumstances.

Support physical health for mental well-being

There are certainly very close links between a person’s mental and physical health, so active lifestyles should always be encouraged. As an employer, you could offer corporate gym memberships, run health and wellness challenges, and provide healthy eating options in the workplace. When people are physically healthy, getting regular exercise and sleeping well, their mental health is usually impacted positively.

The one disclaimer here is to not exclude staff members who may be less physically active than others. Promoting a healthy lifestyle is great, but you shouldn’t ostracise staff members just because they’re not gym fanatics.

Regular check-ins and feedback sessions

If your managers have undertaken mental health awareness training, they should be comfortable having discussions with staff about mental health. They may even be able to notice signs of undue stress or burnout. By having regular check-ins with staff members, managers develop a good sense of how everybody in the team is feeling. Of course, sessions can be formal or informal, but informal check-ins are often the most appreciated. You need to find a balance between genuine care and simply ticking a box on a performance review.With mental health being a major focal point in the modern world, employers are responsible for creating a safe, understanding, and non-judgemental environment. If you need assistance implementing mental health strategies and finding the right people for the job, contact the friendly team at Salexo today.