This year, employers must focus on improving workplace well-being because while employees are more productive than ever, many are reporting feelings of burnout. In addition, someone at your workplace is likely experiencing feelings of loneliness, depression, seasonal depression, anxiety, and substance use challenges.

The numbers surrounding mental health and substance use in the workplace are staggering. Some recent studies show that up to 200 million workdays are lost to mental health challenges yearly. Yet, despite the numbers, fewer than 10% of employees feel like their workplace is free of mental health stigmas, which is a perception that can discourage those in need from seeking the help they need.

Mental Health America's Mind the Workplace 2022 report showed that positive workplace mental health requires the investment of time and action at all levels of an organization, including executive-level leadership, management, and employees.

You can make an impact and create a healthier employee workforce for your employees with strategies for fostering a happy, healthy work environment. Here are some ideas to try in 2023:

•   Generate well-being programs that focus on mental and physical strength. This can mean offering wellness experiences like yoga classes, access to virtual fitness and telemedicine apps, or discount spa services.

• Train your leadership team in mindful and empathetic practices at work. Using these skills in your interactions creates a ripple effect that benefits the entire organization.  

• Ask your employees for feedback on how your organization can meet their mental health needs. Create an anonymous survey to find out from employees how you are succeeding in mental health and your areas of opportunity. Then, use the information you gather to make positive organizational changes so your employees feel heard!

• Bring Mental Health First Aid to your workplace. This skills-based mental health training gives participants skills for supporting individuals experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge. It also helps them respond when faced with a crisis in a work environment by giving them information on connecting people with appropriate employee and community resources.

Taking these steps shows employees you care about more than their productivity. Make a difference to your staff and lead the way to a healthier workforce.

Contact Bauman Consulting Group and schedule a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training for up to 30 individuals. We will come to your place of business in the greater Cincinnati area with two trainers to teach staff the tools they need for Mental Health First Aid at Work. We can also facilitate this training virtually or in a hybrid model to best suit the needs of your business. We are here to help! info@baumanconsultinggroup.com

2022 mind the Workplace Report. Mental Health America. (2022, April 12). Retrieved March 7, 2023, from https://www.mhanational.org/research-reports/2022-mind-workplace-report