How HR Can Support And Assist Employees With Their Mental Health

While mental illness is unfortunately stigmatized in our society, it is crucial to understand the impact it has on our workforce. Mental health issues can cause significant health problems and can have a considerable impact on an employee’s productivity. This is why HR professionals must take steps to address mental health in the workplace actively. In this blog post, we will discuss the various ways HR can support and assist employees with their mental health.

Establish open communication channels:

One of the ways to help with their mental health concerns is to establish open communication channels. HR professionals should make sure that employees are aware of the support available to them and how to access those resources. One way to do this is to offer confidential eap that employees can access on an as-needed basis.

Train managers on handling mental health conversations:

Supervisors and managers play a critical role in recognizing when an employee is struggling with mental health concerns. However, most managers have not received formal training on how to handle these types of conversations. HR professionals can support managers by providing training and resources on managing mental health conversations with employees. This can include guidance on how to approach the conversation, listening skills, and how to make appropriate referrals for mental health support.

Promote work-life balance:

HR professionals can also help employees maintain healthy work-life balance by offering flexible work arrangements and encouraging time off to recharge. Employees who are working excessive hours or have conflicting personal responsibilities may struggle with their mental health. Encouraging healthy work habits and providing support for employees struggling with work-life conflict can improve overall employee well-being and productivity.

Create a culture that prioritizes mental health:

Finally, human resources can create a culture that prioritizes mental health by promoting awareness of mentalhealth issues and reducing the stigma surrounding mental health. HR professionals should encourage open communication and transparency around mental health issues, create mental wellness programming, and promote healthy stress-reduction practices. By prioritizing mental health in the workplace, employees will feel seen, heard, and supported, leading to a more capable and productive workforce.

By offering confidential resources, providing training for managers, promoting work-life balance, and creating a culture that prioritizes mental health, human resources can create a supportive and healthy work environment. Supporting employees’ mental health can lead to better health outcomes, higher productivity, and a more positive work environment, making it a win-win for employees and businesses alike.

Ask our HR Team how they may help:

Ginna Claussen
Kay Connelley
Kit Morse
Kristan Poast
Robin Hostetter
Shari Hamsa, SHRM-CP
Whitney Brierly