Business mentor and angel investor Mark Lyttleton takes a keen interest in workplace mental health and working smarter not
harder to achieve a healthy work-life balance. This article will look at mental
health in the workplace and what employers can do to increase mental health awareness among employees.
Unmet mental health needs of employees can take a
significant toll on staff wellbeing, performance and engagement, which in turn
impedes the success of a business. In spite of this, many HR departments still
fall woefully short when it comes to addressing the issue of workplace mental
health.
According to data published by the World Health
Organisation, in 2019, approximately 15% of working adults had a mental health
condition. In the United States alone, this resulted in a $1 trillion loss in
productivity, with 12 billion working days lost globally.
The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a spike in mental
health challenges, causing many employers to double down on efforts
prioritising mental health. Today, 75% of employees admit that they have
struggled with mental health problems at one point or another during their
working lives.
In the United States, the National Alliance on
Mental Health reports that 20% of adults deal with mental illness each year.
The organisation characterises mental illness as a condition that affects an
individual’s thinking, feeling, behaviour or mood, pointing out that mental
health conditions deeply impact day-to-day living, as well as affecting a
person’s ability to relate to others.
With workers spending a third of their lives at
work, on average, equating to more than 90,000 hours over a lifetime, it is
crucial for employers to prioritise mental health awareness to ensure the
safety and wellbeing of employees. Creating a culture of openness around mental
health issues is not only integral to the wellbeing of employees but also vital
for overall productivity and success. Businesses must therefore make workplace
mental health a priority. By reducing the stigma that surrounds mental health
issues, businesses can empower their employees to reduce workplace stress,
achieve a healthy work-life balance and seek help where necessary.
To boost mental health awareness in the workplace,
businesses must educate leadership, management and employees. This can be
achieved by conducting training programmes, seminars or workshops to help
workers recognise common signs of mental health conditions.
In addition, employers also need to implement mental
health policies, providing workers with adequate resources and support
frameworks, with managers leading by example and encouraging open
communication. To that end, conversations about mental health must be
normalised, with employees encouraged to check in on each other – creating a
safe and supportive environment in which talking about mental health and
wellbeing is as normal as discussing physical health.
