Addressing the Growing Problem of Mental Health in the Workplace
According to the NCCI’s 2021 report, mental health claims have been increasing in the US. In 2019, mental health claims accounted for 5.3% of all workers’ compensation claims. This is up from 4.8% in 2018 and 4.6% in 2017.
Stressors in the workplace can have a profound impact on mental and physical health. The Deloitte Mental Health 2022 Report revealed that more than 80% of respondents experienced at least one adverse mental health symptom.
While these figures are alarming, employers have been stepping up to provide employees with mental health support. Seven in 10 workers believe their employer is more concerned about employee mental health now than in the past, according to the results of APA’s 2022 Work and Well-being Survey.
However, research also reveals that 55% of US employees haven’t taken advantage of available mental health resources. To bridge this gap, employers should create a culture that promotes help-seeking behavior where employees are encouraged to seek help for any issues they may be experiencing.
The Role of Leaders
Leaders play an essential role in creating a culture of help-seeking behavior. It is their responsibility to ensure that employees feel safe and supported when seeking help and to encourage them to do so.
Providing a wide range of mental health resources isn’t enough if employees don’t feel comfortable reaching out. Leaders should ensure that their organization’s culture encourages help-seeking behavior and that mental health issues are openly discussed without fear of judgment or repercussions.
Leaders should “lead” from the front, be vocal about the importance of mental health and well-being and demonstrate their commitment by seeking help themselves. This will set an example for other employees and enable them to seek help without feeling ashamed or embarrassed.
Creating Grassroots “Mini Cultures”
Creating grassroots “mini cultures” or groups can imbue a sense of community and support among employees. These mini cultures allow employees to discuss and share their experiences with mental health issues in a non-judgmental environment. They also provide a platform to seek help from their peers. By creating a space for these critical conversations, organizations can normalize help-seeking behavior and start to chip away at the stigma around mental health. When employees see that their peers are actively seeking help and engaging in open conversations about mental health, they, too, may become more likely to access resources for themselves.
Provide Industry-Relevant and Culturally Competent Support
Since they don’t have the expertise on staff, many organizations have no option but to outsource mental health resources. This can be problematic if the vendor isn’t aware of cultural competence or how to provide resources relevant and tailored to the specific industry.
While finding the “perfect” provider may be difficult, it helps if employers provide vendors with industry-specific resources and culturally competent information. Providing personalized details of what helps or hinders employees in their specific industry can help vendors provide better resources and support.
Communicating Effectively
Organizations must ensure that employees are aware of the mental health resources available. Employers should use a variety of communication channels to get the message out, including email, posters, intranet, newsletters, and staff meetings. Each communication channel should be tailored to the different demographic groups in the company.
Providing Multiple Types of Resources
Both high-tech and low-tech approaches work best.
High-tech resources include online counseling, mental health apps, and remote therapy. For example, free access to meditation and mindfulness apps can help employees manage stress and anxiety.
Low-tech resources can include in-person therapy, support groups, peer-to-peer mentoring programs, and workshops. For example, as part of the peer support groups, organizations could implement strategies to allow employees to request additional mental health support from their peers.
Mental health is a critical issue that should be addressed in the workplace, but employees need to feel comfortable seeking help. By providing the right resources, creating grassroots “mini cultures,” and providing culturally competent support, employers can help employees feel comfortable accessing the resources they need.
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