The ongoing effects of the coronavirus pandemic are among the top stressors impacting employees’ mental health. According to the American Psychological Association’s (APA) 2022 Stress in America survey, 63% of adult respondents said COVID-19 forever changed their lives. Many reported worse mental health, less physical activity, disturbed sleep, and increased unhealthy habits that impacted their well-being, work environment, and productivity.
As a result, improving your team’s mental health should be among your top priorities. Because your employees spend most of their time at work, the work environment typically is their primary source of social and emotional support. Therefore, providing support is essential for your team’s mental health.
Improving your team’s mental health promotes engagement, performance, and productivity. It also elevates job satisfaction, employee morale, and retention rates. These factors strengthen your bottom line.
Implement these tips to improve your team’s mental health:
Participate in Mental Health Awareness Training
Engage in training to recognize signs of employee stress and mental health concerns. Then, implement what you learn to support your team’s mental health. This may include guiding your employees to the mental health benefits provided by the company’s health insurance plan, employee resource groups (ERGs), or local nonprofit organizations that provide mental health services.
Share your mental health struggles and sources of support with your employees. Show your team that getting help is a sign of strength.
Model forms of self-care that your employees can implement. Inspire your team to take care of their mental health throughout the day.
Offer Flexibility
Provide your team with remote or hybrid work options and a flexible schedule. Having control over their work environment promotes mental health.
Your team’s ability to handle their responsibilities during the workday helps reduce stress. It also lowers employees’ odds of experiencing anxiety, depression, or other mental health concerns.
Increased flexibility supports employee autonomy and motivation. It also creates psychological safety and inclusivity. These characteristics encourage employees to remain with your organization long-term.
Implement Employee Feedback
Ask your team for input on as many business decisions as possible. You might send an anonymous survey, provide a suggestion box, or gather a focus group to request feedback on specific issues.
Transparently share the results. Also, develop a plan to address one or more of the issues.
Having a voice in what happens supports employee buy-in for the organization. Feeling a sense of control over the work environment improves your team’s mental health.
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