Mental health is finally getting the attention it deserves. In the past five years, awareness around mental wellness has grown significantly and it’s only going to continue. The consensus is that this growth will continue to accelerate in the coming years. The prominence of mental health is not limited to general culture. It’s also beginning to bleed into our work lives as well. As professionals are more frequently expected to perform optimally under stress and after extended hours, the importance of a healthy mind has become increasingly evident. Today, many companies offer free onsite gym memberships, meditation classes, or even pet therapy programs with their employees—all for the purpose of improving employee mental health and wellness.
COVID19 stands for “Communication, Vision and Impact”, which are three key factors that affect how effectively teams function. These are also three factors that are closely related to employee mental health. When employees feel like their voices are being heard and have a sense of purpose, they’re more likely to be satisfied with their jobs and less likely to experience mental health issues. Communication can be broken down into two parts: listening and speaking. When employees feel like they have a safe space to communicate — and higher-ups listen to their concerns — the company’s performance is likely to increase. Vision refers to employees knowing the “why” of their work. Companies that communicate their mission and offer employees a chance to contribute to that mission are likely to see higher retention rates and lower turnover rates. Impact is about how employees feel their work is making an impact. With an increased focus on mental health and wellness, it’s important for companies to offer programs that help employees feel like their work makes a difference.
Communication, vision, and impact are all crucial to employee mental health. When employees feel like their voices are being heard, they’re more likely to feel empowered and satisfied with their work. When there is a sense of mission and purpose, employees feel like their work has greater impact. And when employees feel that they are being listened to, they’re more likely to be engaged. That’s not to say that COVID19 is the only factor that affects mental health at work. However, it’s an important factor to consider and companies that prioritize COVID19 have an opportunity to make a significant positive impact on their employees’ mental health.
In the past couple years, the issue of workplace stress has become a more prominent issue in general culture. This is due in large part to the release of Netflix’s documentary, “Dirty Money”. This documentary explores the issue of workplace stress in the financial services industry and how it has contributed to mental health issues and even contributed to some individuals taking their own lives. This documentary alone has contributed to greater recognition of workplace stress as a serious issue affecting many industries. High-stress work environments can lead to employee burnout, reduced productivity, and even mental health issues. This can have a significant impact on companies: reduced productivity can lead to less profit, and mental health issues can be extremely costly if not properly managed.
Some companies have gone above and beyond to help their employees. Some have even gone so far as to provide employees with access to psychiatrists and therapists. That’s an extreme example, but there are a few measures that companies can take to help their employees better manage stress and depression. – Offer Employee Benefit Programs (EBPs): Many companies already offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), but many employees don’t know they exist. EAPs are confidential resources that help employees deal with issues like stress and depression, as well as personal issues like divorce, death in the family, or addiction. While this is not a substitute for seeking professional mental health treatment, having a confidential place to go for advice or therapy can be a tremendous help. – Create a Healthy Work Environment: Healthy work environments have been shown to have a significant impact on employee mental health and performance. If a company can’t offer therapists and psychiatrists, they can still make a significant impact by creating a healthy work environment. This includes offering flexible work schedules and promoting healthy habits (like eating well, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep). – Offer Wellness Programs: Employees who participate in wellness programs are more likely to report higher job satisfaction and lower rates of absenteeism due to health issues. When companies offer programs that promote healthy habits, they help their employees improve their mental health and perform better at work.
CVID19 is an important factor in mental health at work. Companies that prioritize COVID19 are more likely to have employees who feel empowered, engaged, and satisfied. This can go a long way towards helping employees avoid mental health issues like burnout or depression. Ultimately, the key to maintaining a healthy workplace is prioritizing employee mental health. In order to do this, companies first have to understand that mental health exists, and once they do, they can take steps to create a better work environment.