How HR Managers Can Support Their Employees' Mental Health

It's no secret that the workplace can be a major source of stress for employees. But what's often less talked about is the impact that this stress can have on employees' mental health.

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As an HR manager, you play a vital role in supporting your employees' mental health. In this article, we'll explore the reasons why mental health has become a more important concern in recent years and some of the strategies you can implement to support your employees.

Why Mental Health is a Pressing Issue

The first step is understanding why mental health is such a pressing issue in the workplace. Recent years witnessed a dramatic increase in the number of people suffering from mental health problems.

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There are a number of factors that have contributed to this increase. First factor that contributes to the mental health crisis in the business world is the culture of long hours and presenteeism that is prevalent in many organizations. Employees are expected to be available 24/7 and to put in long hours, even if this means sacrificing their personal lives and well-being. This can lead to burnout, which is a major contributor to mental health problems.

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Second, with the global economy becoming increasingly competitive, businesses are demanding more from their employees than ever before. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, and stress, which can in turn trigger or exacerbate mental health problems.

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Furthermore, many workers are struggling to cope with the increasing insecurity of the modern workplace. In the past, workers could count on a single employer for their entire career. But today, job security is a thing of the past. This constant insecurity can lead to anxiety and stress.

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What HR Leaders Can Do to Support their Employees

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So, what can you do as an HR manager to support your employees' mental health?

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Train your managers to promote mental health

Managers are the first line of support for the organization’s employees. It’s critical that managers have awareness of the mental health needs of their employees and that they address these needs. As an HR leader, your duty is to train your managers on how to spot signs of mental health problems and what they should do if an employee is struggling. Managers should know what resources are available for employees who need help, as well as the importance of promoting employee well-being at work.

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Listen to what your employees need and use their feedback to evolve

Listening to your employees is one of the best ways you can improve their mental health. It also helps them feel more valued and involved, which means they'll be happier at work! Conducting a survey by Engagesoft will easily give you information on how your employees feel about their work, the organization, their managers, their perceived sense of contribution, and if they have any feedback. Want to learn more? Read more about it and contact our team here.

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Implement a support system

There are many different types of support systems that can be utilized to help your employees. A great option is peer mentoring programs where peers share their own experiences with each other in order to gain new perspectives on whatever challenges they're facing right now at work or home life (or both). This helps build stronger bonds between co-workers while simultaneously giving them new skill sets on top of having someone else who understands what they're going through firsthand.

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Ensure you’re encouraging work-life balance

Work-life balance is a big concern for many people, but it can be difficult to achieve. When employees don't have work-life balance, their stress levels go up and they are more likely to experience mental health problems like depression or anxiety. Work closely with your managers and employees to accommodate the work schedules that best fit the needs of your organization and your employees, and make sure that these schedules don’t cause your employees to lose their ability to disconnect from work. 

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Take a look at equity, diversity, and inclusion 

It's important to ensure your organization has a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) because it helps create an inclusive workplace that is more likely to attract and retain top talent. EDI can also help your business grow by increasing employee productivity, increasing customer satisfaction, improving retention rates and reducing costs. 

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In the end, it's important to remember that employee mental health is an issue that affects everyone. Companies should make sure they have enough resources in place so their employees can take care of themselves and stay healthy. The long-term benefits of a healthy workforce are always worth the investment.

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