“A healthier workplace is a better workplace”.
While it is not possible for companies to eliminate mental health, there are steps being taken to support and modify mental health in the workplace. Here are some actions you may do in your office to enhance mental health and wellness:
Encourage National Awareness Days and Months
Throughout the month of May we raise awareness for mental health, and this should be encouraged in the workplace.
Offer Support to Employees
There are numerous resources available for employees to use and seek out free support. Alternatively, you might want to start an “Employee Assistance programme” with Health Assured as one of your employees’ benefits. Through assessment, short-term counselling, and referral services, this programme enables employees to address personal issues that may be impacting their health and well-being, daily work routine, and overall wellness.
Raise Awareness of the Signs of Mental Health
Ensure that everyone is aware of the telltale indications of stress, anxiety, and burnout. Additionally, concentrate on developing strategies to assist coworkers in identifying and resolving issues. Additionally, see to it that people are informed on less prevalent mental health conditions including bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Having posters around the office can encourage employees to indicate possible signs of mental health and therefore will educate them further.
Reinforce a Healthy Work/Life Balance!
Ensure that every employee, including those who work from home, understands the difference between work and personal time. Decide on “meeting-free” hours and designate periods for offline activity. Encourage staff members not to get in touch with one another while they are on annual leave, as this should be private time, and everyone has the right and need for rest and relaxation.
Mental Health Training for Managers
Are any of your managers or staff members a trained mental health first aider? Encourage a group of managers to step forward and become a mental health first aider for the business.
Mandatory Lunch Breaks
Everyone has them, and everyone has a right to them! Encourage staff members to take their lunch breaks, whether they last 30 minutes or an hour, and unwind on their own or with colleagues. It is commonly recognised that lunch breaks enhance both physical and mental well-being, boost output, foster a happy work atmosphere, and allow coworkers to check in on one another.
At Nockolds HR we provide an EAP (Employee Assistance Programme) to our clients. If this is something that you would like to implement into your business, or if you would like to discuss how to improve your mental health provisions, then please reach out to our Nockolds HR Consultants on 0345 646 0406 or email enquiries@nockoldshr.co.uk.