Prioritise employee mental health in the workplace -The Standard Health

Mental health is a significant aspect of individual well-being and organizational performance. It encompasses workers' emotional, psychological, and social well-being, which affects how they think, feel, and act. If employees experience mental health problems, it can negatively impact their performance, productivity, and quality of work. Mental health treatment is necessary not only to support workers but also to ensure the success and development of the organization.

Workplaces are a major source of stress among workers. Excessive workload, long working hours, job insecurity, lack of support, and an imbalance between work and life are some of the determinants of mental health issues. These determinants can cause anxiety, depression, and burnout. A healthy worker with good mental well-being is more productive and has enhanced employee engagement and capacity to fulfil work responsibilities. Conversely, workers with mental illness are likely to suffer from absenteeism, reduced productivity, and loss of concentration, negatively affecting the organization.

Notwithstanding greater awareness, stigma related to mental illness remains one of the biggest challenges in managing mental health in the workplace. The majority of employees believe that openness regarding mental illness will result in discrimination or ruin their professional careers. This stigma can discourage employees from seeking help, making their conditions even worse. In addition, the absence of resources or support for mental health at work, such as denial of access to counselling or Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), can further discourage employees from seeking help.

Organizations must take initiatives to encourage the mental well-being of workers. One such initiative is to create an open and positive culture towards mental health. Leaders and managers must encourage open communication and make seeking help a responsible and positive act. This de-stigmatizes the act and makes workers comfortable with seeking help. Manager training is also required, enabling them to recognize symptoms of mental illness among employees and offer appropriate assistance. Managers need to be sensitized to mental health resources and prepared to guide employees to obtain assistance.

Additionally, a workplace that emphasizes employee well-being through flexible work options, a reasonable workload, and achievable objectives can contribute to reducing work-related stress. Expenditure on mental health support has numerous benefits for employees and organizations. Employees with good mental health are more engaged, satisfied, and productive, leading to improved job performance and teamwork. Organizations that address mental health also have reduced absenteeism and presentism and gain increased productivity and cost savings. Besides, organizations that are concerned with mental health foster a healthy work environment that deepens employee commitment and attracts top performers. Organizations like these have an advantage when it comes to retaining professional personnel and nurturing a sound workplace culture.

Mental health is not only critical to individual flourishing and organizational success, but it can be cultivated by organizations that promote awareness, reduce stigma, and ensure they are providing adequate support. This enables organizations to create an environment where their employees can thrive. Addressing mental health not only assists with employee flourishing but also assists in creating better business outcomes. Investing in mental health is not only the right thing to do; it's the key to long-term organizational success and growth.