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Focusing on mental health at the workplace

The mental wellbeing of a person can not be tended to by anyone easily. Unlike physical health, the tangibility of our mental health always remains in question. However, that does not make it any less important since you require a healthy mind to operate daily.

Increasing members are facing the issue of deteriorating mental wellness in their workspaces. According to a 2020 report by WHO, roughly 20% of Indians suffer from some sort of mental health condition. They also stated that working women are more prone to depression, anxiety and somatic complaints.

So why are we not talking about it? Companies should be focusing more on the mental health of their employees especially during these trying times. The pandemic has taken its toll on the moving world and has brought us to a standstill. While it may not remain around forever, we cannot say the same about the mental health of the employees. Stress about being laid off, getting to work extra hours to compensate for the laid-off employees/short staff, worrying about their health along with their family’s, needing more pay, etc. The reasons are countless and valid so.

Being mentally sound and healthy is vital for efficient and effective operations. Not only that, it is necessary to have a healthy body and to survive as well. A negatively affected mind will not be able to give out the best results. You need them to be their best versions and not the other way round.

Employees should not be suppressing the symptoms of their working conditions. It can be highly stressful, tiring, and distracting at the same time. Rationality and sanity might leave the room soon under such conditions. Ensure that they do not feel like they are obliged to work and might even need some time off. Instead, working should be a way of distracting themselves in a day and perform normally.

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So how can we help our employees be better apart from the training we provide? The answer is not so difficult. Ensure a healthy mind by implementing the following:

• Motivation, transparency and systematic operations with realistic deadlines allow people to operate smoothly. This would allow them to accept the working conditions instead of fighting them.
• Promote therapy or hold monthly/weekly activities that would allow the employees to speak up about their feelings. They need to be heard and be aware of the fact that what they’re saying means something. It can be done through public health departments, parks and recreational agencies, and community centres. You can even roll out pamphlets or suggest legitimate therapists to them for the same.
• Implement initiatives (according to the available resources) like employee assistance programmes which will remove the fear from their minds about speaking up in the first place. For example: Starting the conversation by asking about their friends and their families would help create a ripple effect. It will then allow them to open up more and talk more about their feelings.
• Expressive art therapy is one of the activities that can also be paired with talking to a therapist. It allows you to make mental health visible through an Artscape. This would make it easier to cope up with the existing problems as well.
• Do not be harsh on them in case they make mistakes or do not provide the level of output you expect them to provide.
• Relay relevant information and improve internal communication. Organisational support can go a long way and improve their concentration further.
• Other employees can also play a role in it by keeping an open mind and talking to the one affected by such issues. They can even notify their seniors regarding the severity of the stigma and help eradicate it by simply being present and by providing their support in any way possible them.
• Providing good health and housing incentives promote the financial well being of the employees which is a big issue in times like these.

Numerous people suffer from mental health issues and even fail to establish a proper work-life balance. A lot of times these issues go unnoticed but can be seen through their work. Things are difficult for everyone around the globe but you should always reach out and help the ones in need. After all, we promised to help them grow in the first place. We are here to create a better standard of living and provide a better life to everyone connected to us. It is as Kathryn Minshew, an American businesswoman quoted, “A good company is as good as its people” because it is them who propel the company forward.