As more employers strive for success and prioritize their bottom line, the health and wellness of their employees is often pushed to the wayside. People in today’s workplace are expected to perform tasks faster, finish projects with higher quality standards, network extensively and develop relationships seemingly overnight, all while foregoing personal life balance. The weight of these expectations has created a society where poor mental health is becoming increasingly normalized within the working environment; however, it's incredibly important that businesses prioritize their employees’ well-being if they want positive results both short-term and long-term. In this post, we'll explore why mental health matters in the workplace and what steps you can take to create an environment that respects and supports your people.

1. The benefits of having a mentally healthy workplace

Having a mentally healthy workplace can be an important factor in fostering startup success. When the work environment is considerate, employees are more likely to demonstrate creative thinking, innovating new solutions and techniques for the company's goals and objectives. The pressure to succeed can easily become overwhelming if unhealthy coping mechanisms and habits take hold, but having a mentally healthy workplace allows employees to bounce off each other without judgement, addressing individual and collective stresses thoughtfully. Mentally healthy workplaces represent companies that are forward thinking – they understand promoting mental wellness as part of corporate culture can create positive and meaningful changes in productivity, as well as looking after their staff members.

2. How to maintain a mentally healthy work environment

At startup businesses, the daily pressure to succeed and meet deadlines can lead to an unhealthy work environment. However, employers can still maintain a mentally healthy work atmosphere with forward thinking and considerate approaches. A startup should strive for innovative methods of employee care such as flexible scheduling, wellness days, or in-office counseling that encourages a balance between career and personal life. These practices show that a startup is committed to its employees' emotional welfare while also aiming to achieve success in their goals. Work environment should be crafted carefully with thoughtful attention towards creating a place where employees can achieve their objectives without sacrificing their mental and physical health.

3. What to do if you're struggling with your mental health at work

In startup culture, it can be easy to get caught up in the hustle and the pressure of meeting goals and timelines. However, it is important to remember that our mental health is just as important as achieving results. If you're finding yourself feeling overwhelmed or under too much stress at work, talk to your supervisor or team members. A startup environment should be collaborative and open to figuring out solutions together. It's okay to let people know that you are struggling and need some extra help, support, or time away from the office. Start conversations about stress and mental health issues in the workplace so that everyone can be forward thinking and considerate of each other's needs.

4. How to support someone who is struggling with their mental health at work

Supporting a colleague who is struggling with their mental health at work should be a priority for any conscientious employer. Creating an environment of openness and understanding ensures that if someone needs help, they’ll know it’s safe to ask for it. Having visibility and knowledge about mental health issues also allows employers to be proactive in their own policies and culture. Training staff at all levels on how to look out for warning signs and how to refer people to the resources available can really make a difference. Creating avenues for employees to speak openly about personal struggles is essential, as well as providing staff with clear channels of support such as HR departments dedicated to dealing with complaints or issues sensitively. By being forward-thinking and considerate when it comes to employees' mental health, both employee morale and productivity will naturally benefit for the better.