Business leaders are keenly aware of the link between mental health and workplace performance. As a result, companies nationwide are working to improve employee mental health. Strategies encompass wellness programs, mental health days and benefits packages that include access to virtual therapy and psychiatry.
But is it enough?
To make a true and lasting impact on employee well-being, leaders must start by taking a hard and honest look at company culture.
A wealth of research underscores the profound effects of the work environment on employee mental health. A study by the American Psychological Association found employees in supportive work environments report lower levels of work-related stress and higher job satisfaction. On the flip side, toxic workplace cultures — characterized by high stress, low support and poor communication — contribute to a range of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression and burnout. The American Institute of Stress reports job stress costs the U.S. economy more than $300 billion annually. At the micro level, employees lose an average of five hours of office work each week due to stress.
Business leaders wield considerable influence in shaping workplace culture. The time is now to transform the work environment and improve employee mental health — all while boosting job performance.
As a model for addressing this issue, Denova Collaborative Health offers six strategies for leaders to build a positive company culture:
- Emphasize Effective Communication: Leaders should foster clear and open communication to build trust, encourage collaboration and create a sense of belonging among staff. They should be accessible, approachable and practice active listening, showing genuine interest in their team members’ thoughts and questions. They should prioritize regular check-ins and include staff in organizational goal setting.
- Empower Staff: Leaders in healthy workplaces involve employees in decision-making and encourage idea-sharing. They provide necessary resources for professional and personal growth. They recognize each employee’s unique strengths, providing opportunities for them to shine, and trust their staff to deliver without micromanaging the process.
- Prioritize Work-Life Balance: Ensuring a healthy work-life balance is crucial for employee well-being and performance. Leaders committed to building a positive environment support this balance by setting realistic schedules, offering flexible work arrangements and respecting personal time and boundaries.
- Destigmatize Mental Health Issues: Business leaders can improve the company culture by encouraging open discussion about mental health, breaking down stigmas and encouraging employees to seek help when needed.
- Educate Employees: It’s not enough to include mental health benefits in the company health plan; leaders must also educate employees about their mental health benefits, encourage them to use the services and remove the barriers to care.
- Make It Fun: Humor and lightheartedness reduce stress and create an enjoyable work environment. Team outings, from small group lunches to company-wide picnics, build friendships, improve morale and break down barriers. At Denova, building “fun” into the workplace is especially helpful for employees who are largely remote, ensuring they all feel part of the team.
Leaders who are truly committed to providing a positive work environment can make a real difference in their employees’ mental health and, by extension, the success of their organizations.
As chief clinical officer of Denova Collaborative Health, Dr. George Orras, Ph.D., LCSW, MBA, works with Denova leadership to reimagine the Arizona behavioral health market, developing new strategies to help those suffering with mental health issues. With a deep bench of more than 300 licensed and qualified providers, Denova’s No. 1 priority is access to care. The company offers same-day therapy, psychiatry and primary care visits and accepts nearly all forms of insurance.
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