5 Signs That Indicate Whether Your Workplace Values Mental Health Or Not, As Per Experts
If you are a working professional, chances are that you spend the majority of your day at work. You could be working in a work-from-home or remote setting, a hybrid model, or be a regular office goer or a freelancer, but it doesn’t change the fact that a massive chunk of your time is spent doing whatever you do professionally. Given that, it is only natural for you to want an environment that prioritizes mental health. But how do you figure that out?
We reached out to experts to discuss the signs that suggest your workplace values mental health, and not just in a performative way. Scroll ahead to take a look.
Signs that suggest your workplace values mental health
One of our two experts, Dr. Minakshi Manchanda, shares some of the important signs which suggest that a workplace prioritizes the mental health of its employees.
1. There is no fear of stigma
“In such an organization that places value on mental health, employees are comfortable talking about their own mental health. There is no fear of shame or stigma. People should not be embarrassed to access mental healthcare, as every human experiences a mental health-related crisis at some point in their life. Also, experiencing low phases does not negate the value and contributions of an employee,” Dr. Manchanda shares.
2. The organization values open communication
Another sign, she adds, is that of teams trusting each other and communicating openly, which can only happen if there is a healthy work culture. Such an atmosphere, where an employee can speak their mind, ensures psychological safety, reduces anxiety, and increases productivity.
3. People are valued
Does your company believe in putting the spotlight on you or your teammates’ achievements when needed? It’s one of the indications that your workplace values the mental health of its employees.
4. Self-care, amongst other factors, is given major importance
As per Dr. Manchanda, “Self-care is given priority and such organizations encourage employees to take time off for self-care.”
We also reached out to Dr. Sonal Anand, Psychiatrist at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road, who shares another significant yet often overlooked factor that could be a clear indicator of mental health in the workplace—providing necessary resources.
5. Resources are given to those in need
Dr. Anand elaborates, “The most important thing an employer can do is provide resources for those who require clinical treatment as well as those with more general mental health needs. It is crucial to provide employees with everything from mental illness access to clinical care. The majority of employees, however, require mental health assistance rather than clinical care.”
She adds, “Many employees frequently require assistance with coping mechanisms, stress management, and resilience development during challenging times. It’s critical to improve their entire mental health if you want them to be effective team members as well as happy people.”
How can employers encourage mental health awareness? An expert answers
Oftentimes, mental health in the workplace is an overlooked subject, but there are certain steps that can be used to genuinely encourage affirmative practices at work. Dr. Anand lists some of the important ones that employers should take into consideration:
Have programs in place for employee aid
• Employee assistance programs (EAPs) are work-based programs that usually help workers with personal or professional issues that can be affecting their well-being or ability to perform well at work.
• These are offered free of charge and may help with a wide range of issues, including marital difficulties, traumatic experiences (such as workplace assault), legal issues, wellness concerns, and several others.
• These services can be accessed by workers online, over the phone, via video or email, or in person.
Include areas for relaxation
“People should have the chance to rest and decompress during midday breaks, preferably in designated quiet areas. Making it socially and culturally acceptable to use these locations for breaks is also crucial,” Dr. Anand opines.
Before signing off, she adds, “For any organization, the first step in promoting good mental health in the workplace is raising awareness of the entire spectrum of employees’ mental health experiences, and not just benefitting off of their workers.”
Truly, this can only happen when a culture of conversation around destigmatizing mental health is in place, and employees are equipped with help when they need it in their workplace.
Dr. Sonal Anand
Psychiatrist
Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road
To book an appointment call: +918108101104
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