Top 6 Tips For Fostering Mental Health And Wellness Among Your Employees

Mental health and well-being is a hot topic in the workplace today. Consultants, government health organizations and the media have addressed this in many studies and reports during the last few years. Pandemic and post-pandemic isolation, workplace stress, health and financial issues, and job insecurity are just a few of the reasons employee mental health is a concern across working generations. It can be particularly troubling for former employees who are returning to work through Social Security’s Ticket to Work (TTW) Program.

Mental health is impacting all generations from baby boomers to GenZ. Psychiatrist.com reports that 42% of Gen Z has a mental health diagnosis ranging from anxiety and depression to ADHD and PTSD. Individuals in this age group (12 to 27) claim they are concerned about the future and do well talking through their problems in therapy.

Other generational workers – GenX, millennials and baby boomers can also experience mental health struggles as seen in Gallup’s Life Evaluation Index for U.S. employees which measures how individuals rate their current and expected future lives. In February 2024, 44% indicated they were struggling and 4% were suffering. Gallup’s research also looked at U.S. employees daily negative emotions with 49% reporting they experienced stress and 38% reporting they worry “a lot of the day.”

Enhance Employee Well-Being With These Tips

Managers have likely experienced some impact of mental health issues in the workplace, such as reduced employee productivity, increased absences, higher turnover and disengaged team members. By taking steps to better understand the issues and provide supportive programs and resources, employers will be able to mitigate some of the negative results and create a workplace environment that is welcoming to individuals dealing with mental health problems.

In my work helping Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries return to work after a long-term illness or disability, I frequently see higher levels of anxiety as people move forward in the interview process. Often, they are unaware of how accommodating their employer could be as they navigate their return to the workforce. Social Security-authorized Employment Networks (EN) and state vocational rehabilitation agencies (SVR) provided through the TTW Program, can help beneficiaries assess accommodations with companies committed to fostering a healthy and balanced workplace.

Here are some helpful ways employers can address mental health issues and well-being for all generations:

· Train managers to be more empathetic and supportive to help reduce the stigma of mental health.

· Use official social media channels to communicate openly about mental health resources that may be available to employees.

· Make sure workplace practices are reasonable in terms of work expectations and schedules, and that they are inclusive. This can help minimize stress and anxiety regardless of an employee’s age or health.

· Provide access to valuable resources for stress management, financial well-being, self-care and other employee concerns.

· Reinforce the counseling services of Employee Assistance Programs for team members who may need to engage in talk therapy or deal with personal loss.

· Launch Employee Resource Groups to bring people together for discussion and comradery.

Most of us hope to go through life without undue stress, anxiety or depression, but it can happen for a variety of reasons. Anxiety can be especially challenging for individuals dealing with chronic illnesses or disabilities as they head back to work. It is encouraging that the importance of mental health awareness and support in the workplace is being highlighted. The U.S. Department of Labor’s “Mental Health at Work” initiative is a resource to educate employers on what they can do to support workers experiencing mental health conditions. With renewed emphasis on employee well-being and a commitment to addressing mental health issues at work, employers can experience improvements in performance, employee morale and overall productivity.