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How To Improve Your Employees Mental Health

In the past, a person's mental health has been looked past a little too often. But, nowadays, we see more companies looking after their workers, schools considering the mental health of their students and teachers, and even government campaigns on the subject. If your employees suffer from mental health issues like depression or anxiety, you could notice a change of attitude at work as well as a decrease in productivity. So, how can you keep up with this shift in priorities and make sure that you are looking after your workers, too? For my expert advice, read on for four top tips on looking after your employees and how to keep your team happy and healthy.

Chill Fridays

One way to make sure your employee's mental health is in tip-top shape at work is to give them a breather; for instance, one day a month where they can work in a more chilled environment without the usual pressures of their working day. For example, the last Friday of every month you can dedicate the day to your employees wearing casual clothes and treating them to pizza for their lunch. While enjoying their pizza, let them have an extra-long lunch hour where they can chat with each other while they eat and not feel rushed in the process.At their desks, let them have a more relaxed mode of working for the day where they can talk with those around them and not feel as pressured into meeting targets. Even let them go home half an hour early to beat the rush hour traffic; helping them to start the weekend right. This will help them to have a more positive outlook on their job and nurture their mental health because they will be taking a step back every once in a while.

Have an Office Calm Zone

Create a space in the office where employees can go to during their breaks to relax and have fun before heading back to work. You can hire a pool table or foosball table for your workers to play with, or even buy a cheap ping pong set and build it up on an old or unused desk. Having something to play with during their breaks can keep your employee's minds working and their bodies moving. It's good for their health to have some movement during their time at work, as sitting down all day can leave them facing physical issues.You could even create a calm zone where workers who want to escape the noise and busy atmosphere for their lunch can go for some quiet relaxation or reading. All you need is an area away from the main offices with a couch, some pillows and blankets.

Be Their Boss and Their Co-worker

One way to reduce employee stress at work and improve their mental health is to be on their level and be not only their boss but their co-worker too. If you are always on their back and put too much pressure on their deadlines and targets, you can decrease their productivity and increase their stress levels.Instead, have the authority as their boss, but also work alongside them to help them complete their tasks, giving them advice and talking to them on their level. It will make them more efficient and feel at ease if they know that they can come to you with their issues rather than go to another coworker. All you need to do is make time for your employees to help them with the mundane as well as larger-scale issues they are facing with their work or clients.

Have a Therapist Available

A great way to help your employee's mental health is to have a therapist available to them so that they always have someone to turn to in worst-case scenarios. By speaking to a counsellor in work, employees can talk about issues that they are facing inside or outside the workplace, which are, in turn, affecting their productivity. Rather than bottling up their emotions, they can open up and be honest in a safe environment and receive the right advice and help that they couldn't acquire elsewhere.As a leader, you need to ensure that your staff's mental health is taken care of and that they are happy with their work surroundings — bringing in a counsellor once every couple of weeks has been known to make a massive difference in the mentality of workers.Don't let your employees’ mental health deteriorate right in front of you. Take action on some of the advice above and start to see real positive changes in your office. For more information on my counselling services, contact me today.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]