7 Strategies for Employers to Promote Mental Health Awareness in the Workplace

New research by SHRM was released on May 1st, 2023 to mark the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Month. According to this new data, one in three U.S. employees say their job has had a negative impact on their mental health over the past six months, with 30% saying their job has made them feel overwhelmed and 29% saying it's made them feel anxious at least once a week.

To put it in layman's terms, that's a whole lot of unhappy campers! Most importantly, SHRM Research finds that 45% have higher expectations for the level of mental health support their organizations should provide, compared to last year.

So, employers, it's time to step up your game! Those mental health resources you’ve read about that seemed optional in the past are now essential to ensure that your organization thrives. Employees with mental health issues are less likely to be productive and healthy. They also pose a big problem for organizations: They are more likely to leave their employer in search of other organizations that better support their mental health.

Here are a few strategies that can be implemented to promote mental health awareness within your organization:

1. Educate employees. You can start by showing them episodes of The Office where Michael Scott tries to talk about mental health and ends up making everything worse. Okay, maybe that's not the best idea. Instead, try hosting workshops, training sessions, or sharing informational posters to educate your employees about the importance of mental health and the common mental health conditions that people may experience. 
   
   
2. Create a supportive culture. Foster a workplace culture that supports mental health and encourages employees to talk openly about their mental health concerns. This can be achieved by providing safe spaces for discussion, encouraging managers to be approachable and empathetic, promoting positive mental health practices, and making it clear that seeking help for mental health concerns is encouraged and supported. You could even hire a group of therapy llamas to roam around the office and provide emotional support.
   
   
3. Offer mental health resources. Provide employees with access to mental health resources such as employee assistance programs, counseling services, and mental health hotlines. Ensure that these resources are easily accessible and confidential.
4. Implement wellness programs. Develop a comprehensive wellness program that includes mental health initiatives. This could involve offering meditation or mindfulness classes, hosting lunch-and-learn sessions on stress management, or organizing team-building activities that promote emotional well-being. Looking for something outside of the box? I hear goat yoga is a hit!
   
   
5. Provide flexible working arrangements. Flexible working arrangements such as remote work, flexible hours, or even taking mental health days to stay home and binge-watch episodes of Schitt’s Creek can help employees balance their work and personal life, reducing stress and promoting better mental health.
   
   
6. Address workplace stressors. Identify workplace stressors such as heavy workloads or unrealistic deadlines and take steps to reduce their impact on employees. Providing support and resources for managing stress can also be helpful.
   
   
7. Lead by example. If you want your employees to prioritize their mental health, you have to do the same. Take mental health days, encourage breaks, and prioritize work-life balance. And don't forget to show off your therapy llama on Instagram!

Overall, promoting mental health awareness within the workplace requires commitment from all levels of the organization. By creating a supportive and understanding workplace culture and providing resources for mental health, employers can make a huge difference in the lives of their employees and the overall success of their organization. It can also be fun and engaging. So, don’t be afraid to get creative! 

Need help getting started? Contact our experts at Atomus Partners today to guide you through the process.