11 Different Ways HR Can Support Employees’ Mental Health

Support Employees' Mental Health

If you’re an HR professional or a manager, you know that your employees’ mental health is crucial to their job performance and overall happiness. Creating a supportive environment that prioritizes mental wellness can help you retain top talent, boost productivity, and foster a positive workplace culture.

But while promoting mental health in the workplace is essential, it’s not always easy to identify those strategies that are effective in supporting your employee’s well-being.

In this blog post, we’ll explore some different ways HR can promote employees’ mental health, from providing resources to fostering open communication and creating policies that prioritize mental wellness. Let’s get started!

Offer an Employee Assistance Program

One way to support employees’ mental health in the workplace is by offering an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). EAPs provide resources and counseling services to employees who may be struggling with personal or work-related issues.

By providing this kind of support, employers can help reduce stress and improve employee well-being with the support of qualified specialists.

Encourage Regular Breaks and Time Off During the Workday

It is important to encourage regular breaks and time off during the workday to prevent burnout and increase employee well-being. Not only can taking breaks help employees recharge, but it also boosts motivation and productivity by allowing each team member to return to tasks with a renewed focus.

What’s more, research shows that regular breaks can help keep employees engaged, reduce stress levels, and ultimately lead to higher job satisfaction.

Train Managers To Support Employees’ Mental Health Needs

To ensure that employees receive the support they need, it is crucial for managers to be trained in recognizing and addressing mental health concerns.

This can involve providing education on the signs and symptoms of different mental health conditions, as well as understanding the resources available for employees. By investing in this type of training, organizations can foster a culture of openness around mental health and promote greater overall wellness in the workplace.

Create a Flexible Work Environment

Creating a flexible work environment can be a powerful tool in preventing burnout. With burnout on the rise globally and 42% of the workforce reporting it, it’s essential to provide employees with options for achieving work-life balance.

Studies have shown that employees who are satisfied with their level of flexibility at work are significantly less likely to experience burnout compared to those who aren’t.

Provide Mental Health Benefits in the Company’s Healthcare Plan

If you want to prioritize your employees’ mental health, consider including mental health benefits in your company’s healthcare plan. According to a recent survey, Mental Health in America: A 2022 Workplace Report, almost 78 percent of organizations currently offer or intend to provide mental health resources in the next year. This indicates that many companies recognize the importance of helping employees access mental well-being resources that may otherwise be out of their reach.

Allow for Mental Health Days Off

Another great way to support your team’s mental health is to introduce mental health days off within your company policy or employee contracts. This strategy is extremely easy to implement, but can yield unparalleled results.

By being allowed to take care of their mental health when needed, employees may feel more valued and supported, leading to increased loyalty and commitment to their job.

Add Specialist Knowledge to Your Team: Hiring an HR Team Member With a Psychology Associate Degree

If you’re looking to add specialist knowledge to your team to promote mental well-being in the workplace, hiring an HR team member with a psychology associate degree might be just what you need.

With this level of education, they have specialized knowledge in psychology that can help them better understand employee behavior and mental health in the workplace. This can aid in creating a more supportive and productive work environment for everyone on your team.

Promote a Healthy Work-Life Balance

To promote a healthy work-life balance, it’s important to recognize the changing needs of employees. With hybrid work and flexible schedules, staff can more easily obtain a better work-life balance, care for children or elderly parents, and save time on their daily commute to and from the office.

If you are not sure what flexible work packages to offer to your team, start by asking them directly and creating plans around each team member’s unique needs.

Offer Access to Wellness Resources Such As Meditation or Yoga Classes

To prioritize the mental well-being of employees, offering access to wellness resources such as meditation or yoga classes can be incredibly helpful. These practices can be an effective way to reduce stress and improve focus, making it easier to stay healthy at work.

By providing these resources, employees will have access to tools that can help them feel more balanced and better equipped to handle the demands of their job.

Develop a Supportive and Inclusive Workplace Culture

If we consider the impact that discrimination can have on a person’s mental health, it becomes clear that creating a supportive and inclusive workplace culture is crucial. Feeling included and supported is crucial for employees to safeguard their emotional well-being, be more productive at work, and achieve higher job satisfaction.

Start by introducing company policies that promote equality, diversity, and inclusion, and build initiatives such as awareness days to support everyone within your team.

Provide Education for Coping With Stress and Anxiety in the Workplace

An excellent way to address mental health in the workplace is to provide education on coping with stress and anxiety. This can involve workshops, seminars, or webinars that equip employees with practical tools to manage their emotions and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

By investing in this kind of training, employers can create a culture that prioritizes employee well-being and proactively tackles issues before they escalate.

If you are unsure how to best help your employees achieve optimal mental health in the workplace and out, make sure to partner with a specialist who can help you achieve your company’s mission.