Leaders in Business: 4 Ways to Improve Mental Health in the Workplace
Business leaders hold a lot of responsibility. From overseeing work projects to liaising with clients, there is plenty to keep them busy. As a result, it is common for the mental health of employees’ to be overlooked.
This can have a detrimental effect on the way employees feel and behave and it can directly impact whether they thrive in the workplace or not. Supporting employees in their mental health and wellbeing is one of the most important roles a business leader has and can greatly impact the health and success of an entire company.
In this article, we will be discussing the 4 ways to improve mental health in the workplace.
Why Prioritising Mental Health at Work is Important
Mental health is a prominent topic around the world and it’s not hard to see why. And while there is no single cause responsible for poor mental health, the issue can be exacerbated by the following:
- Isolation and loneliness
- Stress and burnout
- Trauma
- A history of abuse
- Chronic health conditions
- Chemical imbalances in the brain
As humans, we spend an estimated one third of our lives at work and, unfortunately, mental health symptoms don’t just appear outside of the office, they are usually lived with and fought on a daily basis. That’s why it is so important for business leaders to be aware of the sheer enormity of the problem and to take action on improving mental health in the workplace. Let’s take a look at some of the best ways you can achieve this.
1. Create an Outdoor Space
Did you know that the outdoors can have a tremendous effect on a person’s mental health? According to White River Manor, “Natural environments have been found to have restorative elements, which can ultimately give your mental health a boost […] Just being outside can help you reduce any stress and anxiety you’re experiencing.” Just 20 to 30 minutes each day can make a huge difference in a person’s mental health and wellbeing.
Creating an outdoor space where your employees can eat lunch, enjoy a coffee, take a phone call, or just unwind and relax is one of the best ways to improve mental health in the workplace. Sitting in an office cubicle typing away on a computer all day isn’t doing anyone any good. So, create an outdoor space where your employees can unwind and decompress for short intervals throughout the day. A simple change like this can make all the difference to the prevalence of mental health in the workplace.
2. Encourage a Healthy Work/Life Balance
The employees of an organisation always look to the business leaders for direction. As a business leader, you set an example for those around you. So, when you’re pulling 70 hour work weeks and working through your lunch breaks for weeks on end, your team will likely do the same.
This can have a tremendous impact on levels of stress, burnout, and absenteeism. So, it is important to be proactive and do what you can to encourage a healthy work/life balance.
In order to do this effectively, we recommend leading by example. Those working for your company are unlikely to make any active changes to the way they work if they don’t see the leadership doing the same. This is because many people assume that in order to be noticed, praised, or promoted at work, they need to be working as hard (if not harder) than those in positions above them. In leading by example, you give others the permission to strive for a healthy work/life balance. A few ways you can do this include:
- Sticking to a regular work schedule
- Always taking your lunch break
- Encouraging everyone to take regular breaks
- Book semi-regular holidays
- Limit unnecessary meetings.
3. Encourage Open Communication
As a business leader, it is important not to shut yourself away in your office all the time. While it is helpful to have time and space to think and get work done, you should also prioritise open communication with your team members. Having an open door policy helps achieve this. It breaks down barriers and encourages openness and honesty across your organisation.
The more approachable you are as a business leader, the easier it is to engage, motivate, and work with your employees. If people feel like they can speak to you openly and without judgement, they will feel supported and comfortable at work. And this can go a long way towards improving mental health in the workplace.
4. Provide Mental Health Training
Mental health affects every person differently. Some people may exhibit clear physical symptoms of struggle, such as sleepiness, disengagement, or mood swings, while others do not exhibit any outward signs of their internal struggles. As such, it can be incredibly difficult to tell whether your employees are battling with their mental health on a daily basis or not.
One of the best ways you can be proactive in improving mental health in the workplace and protecting the health and wellbeing of your staff is to provide the appropriate training. Businesses that are proactive and take the time to train their business on the topic of mental health tend to foster a healthier, happier working environment.
Through the provision of mental health training, your business leaders will learn how to:
- Support staff appropriately and effectively.
- Communicate about mental health in a compassionate, understanding way.
- Reduce burnout, stress, low productivity, and high rates of absenteeism.
- Accommodate the concerns of each individual.
By making the effort to provide mental health training within your workplace, you are sending a clear message to everyone at your organisation that you care about their health and wellbeing. That alone can be instrumental in supporting those who are struggling in silence.
Final Words
Improving mental health in the workplace requires proactivity. It’s not about avoiding problems or shying away from the issue, it’s about taking proactive steps towards a happier, healthier work environment. We hope the tips outlined in this article will help you improve the mental health and wellbeing of your employees so they can thrive.
