Wellness in the Workplace

Discussions about how to support mental health in the workplace are being redefined across the globe in ways we've never seen before. As a result, they’re ultimately launching a new revolution in mental health. Having a healthy and engaged workforce requires employees to prioritize emotional wellness in the workplace. However, employees aren’t only seeking better support for employee mental health in the workplace, they’re demanding better employee mental health benefits.?

The World Health Organization defines mental health as "a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community."?

In other words, mental health is more than just the absence of mental illness. It's about feeling good mentally and emotionally, being able to cope and be productive in all areas of life. Mental health and human performance are not two separate pursuits, but rather two parts of the same equation. Combined, they make humans flourish. Unfortunately, mental health problems are quite common. Recent studies have shown that in? workplace of just 20 employees, it's likely that at least one person is dealing with a mental health issue, and there are different factors that contribute to it, such as stressful work environments, long hours, and low pay.

So what can employers do to support mental health in the workplace??

It is important to cultivate an open culture of mental health communication. This can make it easier for employees to open up about their experiences and seek help if they need it. Managers who fail to remove obstacles or share resources with employees can cause employees to feel overwhelmed and unmotivated. Google's campus is a good example of a wellness-friendly environment because it offers a variety of amenities. However, it’s not just Google that has free yoga and meditation classes and rooms; Aetna and Nike have also invested in physical spaces dedicated strictly to meditative practices. These spaces encourage employees to take a break from their busy days to invest in themselves, increasing their productivity.

As for remote workers, they also have access to the same benefits as workers who can come into the office. When yoga and meditation company spaces are inaccessible to remote workers, Google will reimburse yoga classes.?Additionally, Google has an internal initiative known as gPause, an online community that shares resources like books and podcasts about mindfulness.

Furthermore, employers can provide support for employees who are dealing with specific mental health conditions by offering self-assessment tools that provide questionnaires to check mental health concerns.?

Lastly, employers should ensure that mental health is supported in their workplace policies and practices. For example, they can ensure that employees have access to paid time off, fair pay, and safe working conditions. When it comes to improving mental health in the workplace, it's important to remember that we're all in this together. By working together, employers and employees can create a more mentally healthy work environment for everyone.

What are some workplace wellness solutions you've implemented or would like to see in your workplace? Let us know in the comments.