From anxiety relating to COVID-19 to the stress of an ever changing work environment to depression because of isolation from loved ones- there is no question that COVID-19 has taken a toll on mental health. One of the areas this is most evident is in the workplace. Where does that leave employees and what do we know about employee mental health benefits in general?
Historically, there have been concerns about receiving mental health-related support through an employer. If you go to Human Resources, will they keep things confidential? If you ask your boss for accommodations, could they decide to instead let you go from your position? If you use insurance to cover the cost of seeing a mental health professional, could that somehow get back to your employer?
Considering about 20% of working-age Americans suffer from mental illness, those are big questions.
Fortunately, a new trend is emerging– many employers better investing in mental health support and wellness initiatives.
Work Benefits and Mental Health
Right now, 4 in 10 employees don’t think their employers offer enough employee mental health benefits to support health and wellbeing.
Investing in employee wellness is not only about healthcare benefits. Flexible paid time off, remote work options, and self-care breaks are a few of the supports employers can provide which don’t bring heavy bills. Other options can carry a cost, like wellness stipends for a gym or yoga membership, or a subscription to a meditation app or nutrition service.
Then, there are the more traditional, defined benefits. Telehealth appointments with a counselor, allowance for in-person visits, coverage for in-patient care, and similar offerings.
Mental Well Being in the Workplace
A workplace that does not support the mental health of their employees risks creating a terrible loop. A worker struggling with their mental health will likely struggle to focus on their work, which will increase the stress of the job, which will create stress around the job itself, which will continue to negatively affect mental health.
That shows how caring about the mental health of employees is about supporting people AND the bottom line. Depression and anxiety are estimated to cost $1 trillion each year in lost productivity, on a global scale.
Complicating this is that many people who have mental health challenges don’t seek treatment. If a workplace actively builds a supportive environment and prioritizes mental health, then those employees may feel more comfortable and ready to get help.
Employee Mental Wellness Programs
The first step seems like the simplest, but is really anything but that- remove the stigma. Employees need to feel comfortable speaking about their struggles and getting help connecting with the benefits and resources available to them. Discuss mental health and overall wellbeing in staff meetings, check in when you speak to someone one-on-one, put out anonymous surveys asking about various initiatives and benefits employees may find useful, *truly* value and ensure employees achieve a work-life balance, and similar steps.
There is no one package of healthcare benefits that will be the fix for all companies. Partially, that’s because workers in different industries have different needs. But that’s also because employers can do more than just offer certain benefits. They can create a workspace and culture that in itself supports mental and overall wellness.
Making these changes often involves a literal investment, but research has shown that it’s a worthwhile one. A World Health Organization-led study estimated that every $1 invested in enhancing mental health supports yields a $4 return in improved health and productivity.
If you need support, but don’t find that in your workplace, consider connecting directly with a mental health professional. Jax Therapy Network has a searchable database of local, licensed counselors and therapists. Profiles on the website include information like the estimated cost of a visit, in case you don’t want to use your insurance.
Ready to find your therapist? Search the Jax Therapy Network and find help with workplace mental health issues from professional therapy and counseling support.
