ADA HR

Mental wellbeing

in the workplace

In recent years, discussions of mental health and wellbeing have become increasingly prevalent in workplaces as employers seek to ensure they are fostering an environment that promotes positive mental health. The positive effects that good mental well-being can have on both workers and the workplace are quickly being realised by many. As such, creating wellness solutions and supporting mental health in the workplace, will help employees and businesses thrive.

WHAT IS MENTAL HEALTH?

Mental health includes emotional, psychological, and social well-being This state of well-being affects how individuals cope with everyday stressors, how they work productively, and how they can contribute to their community. Mental health can be affected by a range of factors including biological and genetic factors, life experiences, and external stressors.

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BENEFITS OF GOOD MENTAL WELLBEING

Mental health and an individual’s performance are not to be treated separately, rather, they both form part of the same equation. As such, positive mental health in the workplace offers an abundance of benefits, often leading to enhancements in personal and organisational resilience, and success. Further, positive mental health affords benefits such as an increase in staff engagement and productivity, increased job satisfaction, and improved staff retention and is associated with increased learning capabilities.

CREATING A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT

Cultivating a healthy workplace environment is key to promoting positive mental health and wellbeing in employees. Creating and fostering such a culture may be done so in several ways. It may involve planning mental health and wellbeing initiatives and facilitating participation in such programs which may be endorsed via videos, emails, or social media. Mental health and wellbeing initiatives may also involve maintaining an open and inclusive practice culture to create a level of trust amongst employees and employers to ensure all staff feel adequately supported. Further, employers should ensure they facilitate flexible working arrangements, ensure employees have a level of job autonomy, ensure workloads are sustainable and reasonable, encourage staff to limit unreasonable extra work hours, and create opportunities for a healthy worklife balance. Employers should also visibly demonstrate and cultivate a workplace where staff are encouraged to look after their physical wellbeing. This may encompass promoting good nutrition, ensuring employees are taking their lunch breaks, explaining the benefits of partaking in stress-reducing physical activity such as yoga or jogging, and spending time outdoors and ensuring employees are utilising their accrued leave entitlements.

IDENTIFYING MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES

It may also be critical to have a mental health policy in place to ensure all workers feel supported and equipped with the appropriate resources to seek help when required. Mental health policies should include information about when to recognise behavioural changes and how such changes are associated with a decline in mental health. Additionally, it is important to outline to employees how they can go about raising mental health concerns for themselves or a colleague. Assisting staff to identify any mental health risks may also involve arranging free confidential mental health screenings for employees and introducing and encouraging them to use free online mental health screening tools

ADDRESSING MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES

In the event mental health issues have been raised and identified, employers have the responsibility to manage these concerns. Employers should take action to eliminate and minimise any immediate risks and connect the employee to an Employee Assistance Program, or in the alternative other free mental health services. Mental health policies should also outline how staff will be supported once they have sought help.

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