What do American Airlines, Johnson & Johnson, and Microsoft have in common? They prioritize mental health in the workplace. Their mental health strategies have become beneficial to their employees’ mental well-being, such as conducting workshops or providing health benefits. And if your business is ready to prioritize mental health, here’s why you shouldn’t avoid mental health promotion and learn how to put your employees’ mental well-being first.

Why Entrepreneurs or Business Owners Should Promote Mental Health

[why entrepreneurs business owners should promote mental health]

  • It reduces the incidence of burnout, stress, and anxiety
  • It makes employees feel they’re not alone
  • Employees are less likely to be absent
  • It creates a positive working environment
  • More employees are inclined to stay at their job
  • It contributes to the overall well-being of an employee

Five Reasons They’re Not Promoting Mental Health

1. It Could Be Expensive

Therapy sessions ARE expensive. In fact, it can go upwards of $200 per session. And that could discourage employers from prioritizing and promoting mental health in the workplace. But cost shouldn’t be a barrier to employee mental well-being. What you can do here is to look for mental health organizations or startups that could lessen the blow of high fees.

2. There’s Still A Stigma Surrounding Mental Health

Conversations about mental health aren’t easy. And that could be the case for some businesses. Plus, there might be employees who could be judged or discriminated against by talking about their mental health in the workplace. That’s why you should consider opening the discussion of mental health by lending an ear to your employees. Or, if that doesn’t seem like an option yet, you can start with awareness. Start with something small like check-ins or letting people know you have an “open-door policy” where people can talk to you about anything.

3. It’s Not Addressed Properly or Talked About

One simple explanation why business owners aren’t promoting mental health in the workplace is it’s not talked about. No one is raising the issue about it. Of course, that could be tied in with the stigma. But as the employer, if employee mental well-being matters, you can kick start the conversation. This could allow more people to talk more to employees or managers.

4. There Are No Adequate Resources

Business owners may not talk about mental health in the workplace due to a lack of resources and won’t know where to start if they want to discuss it. Fortunately, there are a myriad of resources available online to help you understand mental health conditions and how to deal with them if your employees may experience them. You can start finding resources with mental health organizations or offices of mental health that provide comprehensive resources about mental health.

5. Not Checking In with Employees

When it comes to work, we want to keep it professional by keeping discussions related to work only. However, you can add a little personal touch to your professional life by checking in with your employees. Let them know that you care by just asking them how they are. A simple check-in can help improve your working relationship with your employees. Plus, you allow them to open up to you even a little bit.

Five Ways Employers Can Promote Mental Health

1. Encourage Employees to Talk

You can start promoting mental health at work by letting your co-workers open up. However, some co-workers may feel uncomfortable sharing their mental health experiences or conditions with you when you announce that. And to start, you can open up first. Being vulnerable can help employees realize it’s okay to feel that way. Although you might share your experiences, don’t expect employees to do the same immediately. Let them know that the office is a safe space to share and that everyone is an ally in the office. And they’re not forced to open up anything they’re uncomfortable sharing.

2. Remind Employees to Take Breaks

Employees can get carried away with trying to finish their tasks for the day. And it would be counterproductive if employees didn’t take adequate breaks during their workday. Let them know that they should take breaks, not only during lunch. Allow them to have breaks in the morning or afternoon. It’s detrimental to sit all day and stare at the screen for too long. Plus, make sure they also take vacations or use their leaves. It’s part of their benefits. 

3. Do Relaxing Activities at Work

Let’s face it, work is stressful. And we can get frustrated over the smallest things or tasks during a hectic workday. During your breaks, the best thing you can do is take some time out of your day to take a breather. Even something as simple as meditation or stretching can relieve stress. You can dedicate a space where your employees can meditate, stretch, or do other relaxing activities.

4. Partner with a Mental Health Startup

Even if you may not have the budget to spend on therapy or other paid mental health strategies to help employees, you can consider partnering with a mental health startup. Although they might not have affordable options, mental health startups can help you with your employee assistance program. Plus, they would have access to resources AND may partner with mental health professionals.

5. Conduct Workshops & Surveys

Workshops can enlighten employees about mental health, and you could set up these workshops over the course of the year. But you don’t want to overdo it. Start with a simple mental health workshop first, then work your way up to helping employees or educating managers on dealing with their employees’ well-being.

But if you don’t have experience hosting workshops or are not well-experienced with mental health topics just yet, you can try talking to a mental health consultant to guide you with these workshops.

Here are some workshop ideas to try:

  • Mental health awareness
  • Mental health first aid
  • Helping a fellow employee

Also, try to get a pulse of your employees’ mental health via surveys. You can do this monthly by asking employees how they’re doing and what has affected their mental health during the month. You can also ask them about their workload, which you could talk to them about if they’re taking in more than usual or if it’s stressing them out.

How Penji Can Help With Your Mental Health Promotions

Make your workplace a mental health safe space. And if you’re announcing that to your employees, you may need posters, email newsletters, or flyers. Let them know your workplace is open to talking about mental health, and no one will be judged for doing so. If you need assistance with designs, Penji has got you covered! 

You don’t have to worry about making them yourself or asking someone from the office to do it. With Penji, you can request designs and get those designs within 24 to 48 hours. Once the collaterals are ready for your mental health promotion, you can start prioritizing them in your workplace.

Plus, if you decide to do mental health marketing campaigns, Penji can help you with those designs. Penji will be with you every step of the way to create posters, social media posts, and advertisements. To start, you can subscribe here and get going with your mental health promotions.