Employees Mental Health – a concern for Employers.

❓Mental Health – still an Elephant in the Room?

Mental Health issues at the workplace were well-known, even before the pandemic. Covid and its attendant challenges, has only exacerbated the problem.

Every challenge offers an opportunity. Companies are taking many positive steps in this direction. Results will take time to be visible.

Research shows that mental health is responsible for a loss of $2.5 trillion globally every year.

Remote and hybrid models of work have also given rise to extended working hours, increased stress and anxiety etc. The deprivation of social interactions like coffee station conversations, bonding over lunch and celebrating events together has also brought in a sense of loneliness isolation.

Many employees have faced the grief and trauma of losing a spouse, parent, family member relative or loved one. All this has taken a tool on mental health, leaving many to deal with the challenges of grief and trauma.

Employees are also facing challenges of getting back to the workplace, with schools reopening and some house helpers not yet back at work.

Needless to say, all the above factors would result lower productivity and performance.

Rightly so, Companies are focusing on mental well-being, far more than ever before.

Help being offered is by way of Psychotherapy, counselling, psycho-analysis, psychiatric consultation, yoga and mindfulness practices, etc. and even, some ‘time off’.

Following are some of the welcome changes Special leave during traumatic times of depression, severe anxiety and panic attacks.

Special leave during traumatic times of depression, severe anxiety and panic attacks..Personalized consulting sessions.

Personalized consulting sessions.

Mental Health portals

Including mental health in medical insurance.

Despite all the good intent of these initiatives, it’s not clear
whether employees are
comfortable and feel psychologically safe to avail of these services.

These are times for compassionate and empathic leaders to display their true lived values, by ‘walking the talk’.

The reputation of the Company, its leaders and and its Brand Value will be impacted one way or the other. History will be the judge.