3 Key Steps To Bring A Positive Lens To Workplace Mental Health

Summary: As employers are focusing more on mental well-being, they are still missing a crucial factor- positive conversation.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), India accounts for nearly 15 percent of the global mental health burden. Deloitte’s Mental Health Survey states that the poor mental health of employees costs Indian employers around USD 14 billion annually because of lower productivity, absenteeism, and attrition.

The survey titled ‘Mental health and well-being in the workplace was conducted to analyze the current state of mental well-being amongst Indian employees by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India.

Around 47 percent of professionals surveyed consider workplace-related stress as the most significant factor affecting their mental health, followed by financial and COVID-19 challenges. The numbers are quite alarming. But despite the severity, there are a lot of stigmas associated with mental health and well-being.

While employers are turning their focus on mental health, they are still missing out on a crucial factor that can deeply impact the mental health of the employees which is- positive conversation. Though addressing stress, burnout, workload, and mental illness is critically important, highlighting new opportunities to move forward is the need of the hour.

Organizations should ask the question: how can we cultivate an inclusive work culture where employees actively participate and make genuine connections? How can work proactively help employees improve their well-being?

Various strategies can help both — employees and businesses. The key three strategies are:

1. Give Employees Opportunities that Promote Learning and Purpose

Every employee wants to make a difference in a fulfilling job. Also, when they have a sense of purpose and feel that their contributions are aligned with a larger purpose, they tend to perform better. Providing training and learning opportunities by the best business coach in India not only fuels employee performance and thereby company performance, but also boosts employee motivation and engagement.

When employees feel they have better opportunities to grow in an organization both- professionally and personally, they have a greater reason to stick to their current company.

2. Foster Connection and Collaboration

The pandemic has given rise to the culture of working from home. Despite having plenty of benefits, this new and profound culture also has a few drawbacks which include a lack of connectivity and collaboration. Emotional and social growth opportunities can empower employees as much as professional development opportunities. And these relationships can build better collaboration, communication, and trust within the company.

You can establish employee resource groups, mentorship programs, and other frameworks to encourage employees to feel more socially connected and comfortable bringing their authentic selves to the workplace.

3. Provide Tools to Support Overall Well Being

Rather than focusing just on employees who are facing mental challenges or experiencing stress and anxiety, you should take a holistic approach. Proactive mental health offerings such as meditation, sleep, and fitness programs, can equip all employees with the tools to take care of their overall well-being.

It can deliver benefits not only by helping employees avoid a mental health crisis, but also by empowering them to create, contribute, and collaborate sustainably. If you feel that your team lacks motivation, you can also hire the best motivational speaker in India to inspire them and boost their productivity levels.

By aiming to make work and the workplace a net positive for employee wellness, companies and management can offer people a more compelling and lucrative opportunity and a more effective working environment.  Keep the conversation positive, clear, unbiased, and transparent so that everyone can bring their “whole self” to work and provide the resources and programs to become their “best selves” while at work!

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