Mental health is just as important as physical health. For this reason, the topic of mental health is pushing its way to the forefront of issues companies are addressing across the workplace. As such, educating yourself and implementing proper resources to address mental health issues is essential for creating a healthy work environment for all.
One problem with mental health issues today is the generational divide. Millennials and Gen Z-ers, for example, are 50%-75%, respectively, more likely to quit a job due to mental health issues. Generally speaking, there has been a rise in youth mental health issues, specifically those relating to anxiety and depression. Many of these issues can lead to burnout and result in employees leaving a company.
The stress and frustration of the influx of student debt and unemployed college graduates tend to exacerbate the mental health crisis, especially for graduates who chose majors with poor career outlooks post-graduation. For example, someone who graduates with a degree in law or legal field might experience difficulty finding a job due to the competitiveness of the industry and influx of graduates in the same major. Another example might be graduates with creative degrees, such as philosophy, art history, or English literature. These creative majors are very specific and unless applicable to particular aspects of a position, are ultimately unutilized in a common job. As a result, graduates with these degrees may remain unemployed or working minimum wage jobs and living paycheck to paycheck.
What is causing this abnormal rise in mental health issues in the workplace? A lot of times it boils down to unrealistic job requirements. Long hours, pressure from bosses to be up to date with industries, required availability on nights and weekends, limited opportunity for internal growth, and little to no monetary rewards for such efforts. While you may not realize these issues, it is vital to inform yourself and become more aware of your surroundings.
How Can Employers Help?
As an employer, there are countless ways to be involved in improving and implementing mental health wellness into your company culture.
- Extend Resource Availability: Let employees know who to reach out to, where resources are available, that they won’t be discriminated against, and that their information stays confidential.
- Implement Inclusive Policies: Create open door communications where employees feel comfortable coming to other employees or supervisors for help, conducting routine check-ins on employees – a simple “how are things going?” can open a conversation for authentic connections, monitoring hours worked, and special requests that may come in.
- Be Mindful Communications and Actions: Try to avoid insensitive jokes, poking fun at someone (even if unintentional), singling people out, or anything else that could possibly alienate or trigger someone who may already be having a difficult time.
Mental health wellness is something that is quickly adapting and being incorporated into workplace policies. AccessPoint is proactive in its innovative HR solutions. Let us help you find effective mental health wellness options for your workplace and allow your employees to continue flourishing.