by Kathryn Larimore
Considering 1 in 5 American adults will experience a diagnosable mental illness in a given year, businesses and corporations around the country are finding ways to support employees in their mental health.
Mental health programs in the workplace can include ensuring that employees have access to Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) which typically provide referrals and coverage for a set number of visits and services with mental health providers. This is an approach that is helpful and supportive for those already experiencing challenging times.
Some workplaces have implemented proactive programming with the aim of promoting mental wellness and resiliency, while avoiding burnout. Programs and support such as these might look like offering employees paid wellness days, providing consistent and affordable coverage to mental health services, and ensuring employees are a part of workplace decisions that may impact their stress levels.
Perhaps the simplest intervention an employer can implement is frequent mental health screenings and surveys. Employees can frequently respond to confidential surveys monitoring job satisfaction and mental health, which can allow those who need support to be identified and connected to resources quickly.
Providing ongoing proactive and reactive mental health support in the workplace can have many benefits for employees and companies. These benefits include:
- Improved job performance and productivity
- Decreased absenteeism
- Improved workplace communication
- Decreased levels of burnout
Improved mental wellness can also lead to decreases in heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and other costly physical illnesses.
Reference:
http://workplacementalhealth.org/Making-The-Business-Case
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/burnout/art-20046642
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/burnout/art-20046642