You might be surprised that Mental Health Awareness Month was started in 1949 by the Mental Health American (MHA) organization. This month aims to provide education about mental illness. MHA’s 2023 report found that 21% of adults experience mental illness, which equates to approximately 50 million Americans.
It is crucial for companies to recognize the importance of mental health. The Davidson Group knows the importance of supporting the well-being of all employees. Employee wellness is also good for business because less stressed employees are more productive and stay in their positions longer.
Below are five ways to support mental health in the workplace.
- Clearly state mental health benefits included with your insurance plan. If possible, provide access to mental health professionals on site or virtually.
- Train managers and supervisors to provide a supportive work environment. Training in recognizing signs of mental health issues and stress can reduce employee absenteeism and staff turnover.
- Consider offering flexibility in work options. While a difficult time, COVID-19 proved that remote working does work. Allowing employees to split their time between the office and home could reduce their stress and increase productivity.
- Promote well-being activities in the office. There are a lot of simple ways to help employees feel connected and improve their outlook. This includes simple things like a walking group, team-building activities or a monthly lunch. If your office has a large parking lot, put cornhole boards out on a Friday afternoon.
- Collect employee feedback to identify ways to improve the work environment. Employees are more engaged when they feel like their views are being heard.
Contact the Davidson Group to identify organizational changes that can support the mental health of your valued employees. We can also craft and deploy a meaningful employee survey.
