Employers To Promote Employees’ Mental Health: A Need Or A Want?

employers promote employees’ mental health
Spread the love

In 2018, the deaths of renowned chef Anthony Bourdain and acclaimed fashion designer Kate Spade shocked the world. These tragic events raised questions about how individuals, seemingly successful and loved, could suffer so profoundly.

The root causes were twofold: the enduring stigma surrounding mental health and a lack of knowledge about where and how to seek help promptly, even with ample resources available.

The subsequent media coverage and widespread discussions about mental health issues in the workplace prompted a crucial turning point in public perception. It became evident that mental health benefits that were previously created to help employers promote employees’ mental health were insufficient and lacked comprehensive coverage. 

How can employers promote employees’ mental health?

To address mental health issues in the workplace, companies need to dismantle the distressing stigma surrounding mental health and develop strategies to support their employees in navigating the complex and understaffed behavioral health care system. Granting access to mental health care alone is insufficient.

Employers must provide a platform for employees and their loved ones to be seen and understood, along with practical resources to navigate the challenges they face. Companies should adopt a holistic approach that encompasses access, support, and navigation.

Embracing responsibility for their employees’ mental well-being is a humanistic approach to leadership, which should permeate the company’s culture from the highest levels downward.

Boards, C-suite executives, and senior leaders must align themselves with this philosophy to effectively support their employees’ mental health and identify opportunities for meaningful assistance. The potential to extend support is limitless.

Companies can begin by evaluating their current mental and behavioral health benefits, assessing utilization rates, and determining if their offerings adequately address the diverse needs of their workforce. Identifying areas for expansion is vital, but enhancing access is just one part of the solution.

Managers and leaders play a pivotal role in reducing the stigma around mental health by fostering an environment where employees feel safe to share their struggles. Humanistic leadership goes beyond routine check-ins; it involves creating space for open dialogue and support.

In addition to access and support, employers must prioritize the navigation of benefits. While comprehensive mental health benefits are crucial, employees may struggle to access them due to the complexities of the healthcare system.

Companies can seek partnerships with benefits providers that offer hands-on mental health support and customizable programs tailored to their specific organizational needs. These programs often include self-care resources, seminars, workshops, and self-guided tools that fill the gaps in employee care.

Kathie L. Patterson, the chief human resources officer of Ally Financial, writing for Craine’s Detroit Business, urged employers to take up the mantle of mental health when it comes to their employee’s emotional wellness.

She said: “I encourage all companies to explore how they can give their people better support for mental health and overall well-being. Breaking down [the] huge barriers [to an already] complicated health care system will help employees and their families find their footing and a sense of belonging. It’s also an opportunity to do the right thing in a world that can sometimes be harsh and unpredictable.”


Spread the love
  • Can Microbreaks At Work Protect Your Mental Health? Study Reveals

    Can Microbreaks At Work Protect Your Mental Health? Study Reveals

    Researchers revealed how microbreaks at work can boost mental wellness…

  • Random Noise Can Help Us Learn Better, Says Study

    Random Noise Can Help Us Learn Better, Says Study

    Researchers explored the effects of transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS)…

  • Did You Know A Short Walk In Nature Improves Mental Health?

    Did You Know A Short Walk In Nature Improves Mental Health?

    Researchers revealed how a brief one-hour walk in nature can…

  • Why Do Fans Keep Faith With Heroes Even After A Public Scandal?

    Why Do Fans Keep Faith With Heroes Even After A Public Scandal?

    Experts gave interesting insights into why fans keep faith with…

  • Parents’ Eating Behavior Influences Their Teens’ Eating Habits: Study

    Parents’ Eating Behavior Influences Their Teens’ Eating Habits: Study

    Researchers at the research group, Elsevier, revealed how parents’ eating…

  • Surprising Benefits Of Gender Diversity In The Workplace: Study Finds

    Surprising Benefits Of Gender Diversity In The Workplace: Study Finds

    A group of international researchers provided insights into the benefits…

  • Did You Know Tiredness Drives Our Cravings For Soft Drinks?

    Did You Know Tiredness Drives Our Cravings For Soft Drinks?

    Researchers explored the factors that drive cravings for non-alcoholic beverages.

  • How Does Memory Of Personal Interactions Decline With Age?

    How Does Memory Of Personal Interactions Decline With Age?

    Researchers explore the neural mechanisms behind age-related loss of social…

  • Is Friendship Between Rich And Poor The Key To Reducing Poverty?

    Is Friendship Between Rich And Poor The Key To Reducing Poverty?

    Researchers opine on the link between rich-poor friendships and income…

  • Did You Know Eating At Night Worsens Mental Health?

    Did You Know Eating At Night Worsens Mental Health?

    Researchers explore the ill effects of nighttime eating.

  • Did You Know Moral Illusions Influence Our Decisions? Surprising Study Finds

    Did You Know Moral Illusions Influence Our Decisions? Surprising Study Finds

    A researcher at Linköping University, Kajsa Hansson, explored how moral…

  • Is The “Gift of Time” A Gift That Keeps On Giving?

    Is The “Gift of Time” A Gift That Keeps On Giving?

    Researchers delve into the psychology and benefits of the “gift…

  • 7 Healthy Lifestyle Habits To Lower Your Dementia Risk: Study

    7 Healthy Lifestyle Habits To Lower Your Dementia Risk: Study

    Researchers explored the seven healthy lifestyle habits associated with a…

  • Why You Should Choose Physical Activity Over Social Media? Study Finds

    Why You Should Choose Physical Activity Over Social Media? Study Finds

    Researchers revealed the benefits of choosing physical activity over social…

  • What Drives Cravings For Fatty Foods? Surprising Study Finds

    What Drives Cravings For Fatty Foods? Surprising Study Finds

    Researchers explored the neural mechanisms behind our cravings for fatty…

  • Online Hate Speech Rises With Climate Getting Warmer, Surprising Study Finds

    Online Hate Speech Rises With Climate Getting Warmer, Surprising Study Finds

    Researchers studied the link between global warming and online hate…

  • Bella Hadid’s Mental Health Struggles Go Viral

    Bella Hadid’s Mental Health Struggles Go Viral

    How American supermodel Bella Hadid opened up about the mental…

  • Children Born From Pregnant Women With Obesity Are At Higher Risk Of ADHD: Study

    Children Born From Pregnant Women With Obesity Are At Higher Risk Of ADHD: Study

    Researchers explored how pregnant women with obesity and diabetes are…

  • Can Healthy-Day-App Plan The “Perfect Day” For Your Kids?

    Can Healthy-Day-App Plan The “Perfect Day” For Your Kids?

    Researchers developed an app called the Healthy-Day-App to encourage healthy…

  • Why Should You Know Your Partner’s Love Language? Study Reveals

    Why Should You Know Your Partner’s Love Language? Study Reveals

    Researchers provide insights into the psychology and benefits of “love…

  • Did You Know Marriage Protects Mental Health? Surprising Revelations

    Did You Know Marriage Protects Mental Health? Surprising Revelations

    Researchers explored the physical and mental health benefits of marriage.

  • Do Highly Sensitive People Display Hypersensitive Narcissism?

    Do Highly Sensitive People Display Hypersensitive Narcissism?

    Researchers provide insights into the personality trait of hypersensitive narcissism.

  • What’s The Link Between Humor And The Dark Triad Of Personality Traits?

    What’s The Link Between Humor And The Dark Triad Of Personality Traits?

    Researchers examined the use of humor by the dark triad…

  • Did You Know That Men Talk More About Facts Than Women?

    Did You Know That Men Talk More About Facts Than Women?

    Researchers revealed the gender differences in communication styles.

  • Why Do You Keep Waking Up At Night? Surprising Study Reveals

    Why Do You Keep Waking Up At Night? Surprising Study Reveals

    Researchers revealed how repeatedly waking up at night means our…

  • Childhood Amnesia: Did You Know Your Earliest Memories Start At Age 2.5?

    Childhood Amnesia: Did You Know Your Earliest Memories Start At Age 2.5?

    Research provided interesting insights into the phenomenon of childhood amnesia.

  • How Kate Middleton Is Changing The Conversation Around Children’s Mental Health?

    How Kate Middleton Is Changing The Conversation Around Children’s Mental Health?

    How mental health initiatives and programs are changing the conversation…