Whether you are an employer or an employee, making a commitment to workplace wellbeing could be the smartest business move you make this year. Mental health problems at work are common, with at least 1 in 6 workers experiencing common mental health difficulties. This equates to a total of 12.5 million work days in the UK being lost to stress, anxiety and depression. A recent Deloitte report also found that presenteeism could account for a greater loss in productivity than absenteeism, costing approximately 16.8 billion to 26.4 billion a year. But fear not, there are some steps that you can take to address this epidemic.

In many workplaces mental health is still a taboo subject. Too often, employees are scared to talk to their managers about their problems and managers feel ill-equipped to discuss mental health with their teams. Here are some simple steps you can take to create a culture that supports members of your organisation to be open about their mental health:

Tip 1: Create a mental health at work plan

Create and communicate a work plan that promotes good mental health and encourages an open culture. Involve your staff in the dialogue and decision making. This not only communicates to your workforce your commitment but also helps them understand how they can also contribute to this culture. You can action this through a variety of methods; staff surveys, staff forums, review meetings, ‘away days’. The options are endless.

Tip 2: Create an open and supportive environment

Explicitly communicate to staff that mental health and wellbeing matters in your organisation and that being transparent will lead to support not discrimination. Let staff know about the support that is available; both internally and externally. Provide different options, one size does not fit all. Perhaps you have the resources to offer subsidised medical insurance or offer free access to an Employee Assistance Programme? You can also encourage staff to build on their own resources; developing their own Wellness Action Plans or buddying-up with someone they can talk to outside of the management structure.

Many of the people we support express that talking about their mental health at work is pointless, which leads to increasing feelings of helplessness. Let staff know that flexible working and workplace adjustments are available and that talking about their struggles can lead to some practical solutions. Offering the right support at the right time is vital and this conversation can begin at the start and throughout an employee’s journey with you; from recruitment, induction, during periods of ill-health and times of wellness.

Tip 3: Build mental health literacy

Building mental health literacy means boosting employees’ knowledge and skills so they better manage their own mental health and improve their ability to support that of others. Ensuring staff and managers have a good understanding of mental health, and the factors that affect workplace wellbeing, is essential for building a healthy and productive workforce. You can do this by; embedding mental health in your induction and training, recognising national awareness days, and ensuring literature is available in staff areas.

Tip 4: Promote effective people management

Managers play an important role in workplace wellbeing; it’s true what they say ‘People leave managers, not companies’. Research shows that poor quality leadership has been linked with stress, burnout and depression. Effective people management will ensure that the health and wellbeing of teams are considered alongside their performance. Senior leadership can support managers to be open, approachable and self-aware. They can support them by allowing space for regular catch-ups with staff, support flexible management styles, and offer time to celebrate individual and team success. Mental health training for line managers can also be effective solution.  

Addressing Mental Health in the Workplace can sometimes feel daunting. Mind in Mid Herts are a leading provider of mental health services and training in Hertfordshire. No one else is better placed to support your business to improve your approach to mental health in the workplace and to support you in the process. We will be offering a variety of information and tips through this forum which we hope will be beneficial. If you would like 1:1 support do not hesitate to contact us.