1. The impact of an employee's poor mental health on a business (and how to fix it as leaders?)
Did you know that poor mental health can have a significant impact on your business? It's true! In fact, research shows that employees who struggle with mental health issues are more likely to:
Miss work: According to the National Institute of Mental Health, employees with depression miss an average of 20 more workdays per year than their healthy counterparts.
Be less productive: A study by the Society for Human Resource Management found that employees with anxiety disorders are 30% less productive than their healthy colleagues.
Make more mistakes: Stress and anxiety can lead to poor decision-making and increased errors.
Have higher healthcare costs: Mental health conditions can lead to a number of physical health problems, which can drive up healthcare costs for businesses.
Leave the company: A study by the American Psychological Association found that employees with mental health issues are twice as likely to leave their jobs as their healthy colleagues.
So, what can you do as a business owner or leader to help?
Create a supportive work environment. This means fostering open communication, encouraging a healthy work-life balance, and providing access to resources like employee assistance programs and mental health professionals.
Promote mental health awareness: Educate your employees about mental health and encourage them to seek help if they need it.
Offer flexible work arrangements: This can help employees manage their work schedules around their mental health needs.
Provide training for managers: Managers should be trained to recognize the signs of mental health problems and to know how to support employees who are struggling.
Destigmatize mental illness: Make it clear that mental health is just as important as physical health and that there is no shame in seeking help.
By taking these steps, you can create a more supportive and inclusive workplace for all of your employees. This will lead to a happier, healthier, and more productive workforce, which is good for your business and for your employees.
Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): https://www.nami.org/home
The Jed Foundation: https://jedfoundation.org/
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: https://afsp.org/
By working together, we can create workplaces that are supportive of mental health and well-being for all.
#mentalhealth #workplacewellness #employeeengagement #business #health #wellbeing
