It showed clearly just how important it is for workplaces to better meet the mental health needs of their employees. Benefitfocus, for example, offers Happify a mood training mental health app that teaches resiliency through gamificationon its BenefitsPlace platform. Weve even recently ran Mindfulness workshops for all employees. For many employees living with a mental illness the prospect of showing up to work each day can be daunting for a number of reasons. And finally, create opportunities for employees to build connections with each other, such as through social events, affinity groups, and electronic message boards. Its a good idea to get employees involved and ask for them to review and contribute to your mental health policy.

She holds a bachelors degree in communications from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. And, if employees arent talking about their mental health, employers wont learn how to approach it. Siobhan felt that she had to carry on as normal. You should encourage your staff to be open and honest with you. Wellbeing and mental health at work training should be a top priority for all businesses.

By revealing issues, people fear to become isolated, viewed as abnormal, and considered unfit for the job. Its a stressful time for them in many ways, and that will most likely contribute to more mental health issues in the weeks and months ahead. The development of practical coping skills has never been more necessitated in this ever-changing world. To find out more, we asked whether respondents had ever lied to their manager about why they took a sick day. Over the last few years, attitudes and acceptance of mental health challenges have evolved. Recent reports have discovered a crisis around managing employees with mental health issues today.

Employees talking to line managers or colleagues about their mental wellbeing need to be reassured that their conversations will be treated with confidentiality and impartiality. Even if a person delights in their daily work tasks, the general process Americans go through just to get to and from work every day can take a toll on mental health. Fortunately, new disability policies are addressing this concern, offering coverage to help with mental health and substance abuse struggles. Journaling is a powerful tool used as an intervention in many different areas of well being. Experts advise that early intervention is the key to reducing the costs and incidents of serious mental illness in employees. Talking about mental health training for managers is a good step forward.

To sum up, talking about mental health helps. What has effectively been a dont ask, dont tell approach to mental health in the workplace is becoming instead do ask, do tell, lets talk. This can cost pennies on the dollar for each employee, but the value is immense. Free up your employees time and money by offering the option to work from home for a day or two each week. Our workshops & programs are tailored to your needs and requirements. Sometimes fellow colleagues are actually better equipped than managers to identify mental health in the workplace , so it is always a good idea to check in with your colleagues.

Showing top-down support helps create a more open, accepting environment. Measures that companies have introduced over recent years have not turned the tide. Discrimination against those with mental health issues remains widespread, even though a significant proportion of the workforce will face poor mental health during their working life. I will recommend him to take him to a mental health counselor so that he can get professional help. In reality, one in four of us will experience an episode of mental illness in our lives, from which most will make a full recovery. A good manager will help support mental health first aid in the workplace with his team members.

Remember that mental health issues are to be kept confidential. As patients and mentally disabled individuals experience different emotions, the situation can become stressful and tense. The earlier we are able to recognise when something isnt quite right, the earlier we can get support. The researchers are conducting additional research on how to improve access to mental health care in the workplace, and to quantify costs and benefits for employers. By taking action to remove or reduce stressors, you can prevent people becoming ill and avoid those with an existing condition becoming less able to control their illness. Your employee's wellbeing and workplace wellbeing initiatives can in-turn affect workforce productivity, staff turnover, reputation and customer service.

Employees may require constant reassurance about performance. If we have significant challenges in our home or work life, the chances are that it has an impact on our mental health. The reports primary recommendation is that all employers, regardless of their size, industry or workplace, adopt the following mental health core standards to support their employees. Well also look at some examples of companies that are improving their mental health benefits. Trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners. Supporting dealing with depression at work has never been more important.

By broadening the focus of mental health, and when you go beyond strategies to avoid ill health, incorporating strategies to develop positive mental health, employers are able to realise the full benefits of a thriving workforce. They also receivea certificate to say that they have attended the Mental Health Awareness course. As a result, employers are reporting an increased number of employees with mental health conditions and recognise it as an ongoing concern for their businesses. In many cultures, mental health issues have been poorly understood and/or been taboo. Better mental health coverage for employees is one of those. There are small, simple steps you can take to make managing and supporting mental health at work something that people can talk about.

It can be tempting to have a drink to get 'Dutch courage', but if you feel anxious you may drink too much and end up behaving in a way you'd rather not, which will increase feelings of anxiety in the medium to long term. If people are feeling happier in their workplace, then chances are they are less likely to feel stressed out and anxious about their job. Research in coaching, especially with chronic medical patients, has shown benefits in improved mental health. The position may require workers to be attentive to the needs of the disabled patient. You can meet new people, gain skills and contribute to a community. Whether you work with 10 people, 10000 people or just yourself, paying attention to workplace mental health has never been more important.

Improved mental health has been well documented with the introduction of improved levels of physical fitness. Millions of people from racial minority groups carry the psychological weight of racism throughout their lives, including at work, and very few are able to reach out to culturally responsive mental health providers through their employee benefits. Its the same with mental health. If you fear that an employee is unable to complete their tasks, or poses a safety risk, because of a mental health issue, you must be able to provide objective evidence to back up the claim. They can also help you with your claims for financial support while unemployed. A reaction to a difficult life event, such as bereavement, can make employers duty of care higher on the agenda.

A culture of always being contactable is also taking its toll on employees wellbeing. The benefits of work are most apparent when compared with the well-documented detrimental mental health effects of unemployment. Approaches such as flexible working, building resilience and staff development contribute to good engagement.