Embracing Mental Health at the Workplace

Our day-to-day lives involve much more than just our physical selves. We may not always be aware of it, but our thoughts, emotions, and feelings are at the centre of how we function. It makes sense that having sound mental health is essential to living life to the fullest. Mental health is all about having a balance of psychological, emotional, and social well-being. 

Having good mental health in the workplace encourages positive emotions, efficiency, and resilience. It helps handle stressful situations, create strong relationships with others, and provides greater satisfaction in life. As society starts to recognise the value of good mental health, employers and leaders increasingly realise that embracing it in their workplaces has become essential.

Importance of mental health at the workplace

Leaders must recognise the importance of looking after their team to achieve great outcomes. Looking after employees' mental health is the most effective way of doing this, as studies have found that mental health issues lead to higher staff turnover. Additionally, research has shown how work-related stress and anxiety can significantly affect productivity and have a negative impact on physical health.

Presenteeism has also posed itself as a concern in the workplace - when employees are physically present but are not able to get their full selves to the workplace. Studies demonstrate that this issue carries “hidden costs” for organisations, with presenteeism costing 30% more than physical illnesses or absenteeism.

The post-pandemic era has disrupted the way organisations and employees work. This has made it difficult for them to manage daily stressors and may lead to mental health issues going unnoticed due to stigma or a lack of resources, leading to burnout, low moods, and poor mental health. Studies show how important employee mental well-being is for overall company success. 

Analysing these studies shows us that the state of employee mental well-being can considerably affect the organisation as a whole. 

General factors for creating healthy workplace

The chain of great outcomes begins with factors that influence employees’ mental and emotional well-being. Let’s look at some common factors for a healthy work environment.

Acceptance

The workplace is made up of diverse people with their own personalities and experiences that shape who they are, and it is important to accept the differences between them. Allowing for differences, such as opinions and emotions, can benefit the company's culture. 

Flexibility

Employers must encourage employees to embrace flexibility, as it has become one of the most crucial components of a healthy workplace. Encouraging employees to choose and plan their schedules helps them complete tasks on time, while still finding a suitable way to work that works for them.

Work-life balance

Work can easily take precedence over an individual’s personal life. This is why a good work-life balance is essential for workplace flexibility and satisfaction as well as increased productivity. Though there is no one-size-fits-all approach to achieving the perfect balance, leaders must prioritize supporting and fostering healthy boundaries. 

Growth

Employees are striving to make progress in all facets of their careers - whether it's picking up new skills or aiming for promotions. Leaders and managers should take the time to understand each employee's goals, and create plans to help them reach those aspirations.

How can Amaha help you build a healthy workplace?

Amaha can help you create a better place for your employees. By focusing on their mental well-being, we have created tools that can help you assess employees’ moods and understand their concerns. 

• Bot Based Check-in helps you understand employees’ moods over a period of time 

• Clinically validated surveys can help you with getting insight into specific conditions 

• The self-care app can help your employees by providing them with self-care tools, mindfulness activities, and more. 

• Employees can access in-person and online therapy and psychiatry services 

• They can also access newsletters and webinars that can help them understand psychological and mental health concepts. 

The bottom line

The dynamics of work have changed with employees looking for more beyond transactional workplaces. Leaders must keep up with their expectations and bring forth something beyond monetary benefits. Promoting good mental well-being can be a great place to begin, creating the best workplace you and your employees deserve.