Creating Mentally Healthy Workplaces during COVID-19 and the road to recovery.
Since the first confirmed case of COVID-19 was reported in Australia, this disease has had a great impact on every aspect of Australian society. There is no doubt that COVID-19 has changed the way we live and work.
Similar to many other countries worldwide, nationwide measures such as quarantine, lockdown, and physical distancing were launched in response to the rising number of cases and deaths attributed to COVID-19. Although these measures have mitigated the spread COVID-19, they have also negatively affected the economy, employment, and public health.
With worries about future uncertainty, concern has been growing about the mental health sequelae of the COVID-19 crisis. Some experts are calling the hidden 'third wave' as mental illness.
Research is still emerging as to the real impact on mental health from this pandemic, but common consequences of disease outbreaks include anxiety and panic, depression, anger, financial stress and psychological distress such as confusion and uncertainty. We are already seeing an increase in numbers in these conditions as well as an increase in access to mental health services and there is considerable concern about the impact that mental health impacts may have on suicide rates.
The Australian Government has made significant investments in mental health and suicide prevention prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and has continued to do so as part of Australia’s evolving response, with an estimated additional $500 million having been channelled into mental health services so far this year. But support is also needed as a deeper level and this is where businesses and organisations can also play a significant role in supporting the mental health of individuals within their organisations and therefore, can have a positive impact on the wider Australian community.
WORK IS GOOD FOR MENTAL HEALTH
It is important to recognise that work can be very good for our mental health and wellbeing. In addition to providing financial security, work also provides a sense of purpose, social connections, routine and opportunities to grow, develop and make valued contributions to society.
As many organisations are re-designing what their workplaces might look like moving into 2021, now is the perfect opportunity to think about how your workplace could benefit from a mentally healthy approach and what more you can do to support the mental wellbeing of your staff.
WHY INVESTING IN MENTALLY HEALTHY WORKPLACES MAKES SENSE
Supporting mental health and wellbeing both throughout COVID-19 and the road to recovery is an important investment in the people who are the public face, decision-makers and drivers of your organisation.
The Headspace for Work 2020 Mental Health Trends Report showed many people in the workforce need extra resources to support a wide range of mental health concerns - on the job and at home. But its also important to remember that everyone has mental health needs, even if they haven’t been diagnosed with a disorder.
Based on Headspaces’ survey of over 2,500 employed adults working in several industries across the United States and the United Kingdom, the report makes it abundantly clear that in the age of COVID-19:
· There’s a gap between employee expectations for mental health support and what companies actually offer.
· People are just starting to recognise the importance of well-rounded mental health support - compared with check-the-box EPA (employee assistance) programs and other types of old-school benefits.
· The line between work stress and life stress has been dissolved. Stress in any area of someone’s life contributes to or is exacerbated by, stress at work, and vice versa.
This study also found that 44%of workers don’t feel employee mental health is a priority at their organisation.
WHY INVESTING IN MENTALLY HEALTHY WORKPLACES MAKES SENSE
Benefits of building a mentally healthy workplace
Building a mentally healthy workplace is not only good for your people, but also for your organisation, with benefits including:
• Enhanced work performance and engagement: Positive wellbeing and job satisfaction can enhance performance, productivity, team cohesion and additional effort at work.
• Reduced costs of mental ill-health and psychological injury: Sick days, staff turnover, workers compensation claims and other management efforts to manage mental health at work costs time and money. Prevention strategies and early intervention can help reduce costs to your organisation.
• Attracting (and keeping) great talent: Organisations creating healthy environments are more likely to attract and retain the best and brightest talent.
• More responsive and agile organisations: When people are functioning at their best, they can think more clearly, flexibly, and creatively. This means your organisation as a whole can be more responsive and agile.
• Your people are your organisation: Your people and how they interact with customers, clients, suppliers and the general public reflect your organisation. The mental health and wellbeing of people in your organisation can ultimately influence how others experience your brand.
(Mentally Healthy Workplaces during COVID-19, Australian Government, National Mental Health Commission)
CREATING A MENTALLY HEALTHY WORKPLACE DURING COVID-19 AND THE ROAD TO RECOVERY
As an organisation, there are many things you can do to create a mentally healthy workplace.
- Invest in Holistic mental health programs:
A holistic mental health program goes further and deeper than an employee assistance program (EAP). Instead of treating mental health once it becomes an issue, these programs also provide preventative support. Research shows that a holistic approach to workplace mental health is crucial to supporting the whole self. 42% of survey respondents in the Headspace for Work 2020 Mental Health Trends Report identified work/life balance as the greatest source of stress in their lives.
- Support managers and people leaders:
One of the most cost-effective strategies for improving workplace mental health is to invest in building the capability of managers and people leaders. This may include professional development and training to ensure they have the right tools and supports they need to manage themselves, their teams, and the organisation effectively during uncertain times. Read more on our Leadership programs.
- Invest in positive and protective relationships and cultures:
Teams that work well together perform better. Positive relationships at work enhance and protect mental health and wellbeing. Read more on our Culture and Wellbeing programs.
- Be a role model by looking after yourself:
CEO’s, business owners, managers and leaders are human too. We all need to look after ourselves by taking time out to rest, sleep, exercise, and do things we enjoy. If you have been through one of our programs, making sure you stick to your regular meditation routine is a must. If you’d like to learn more about how meditation can benefit your wellbeing, read more here. It is easy to get distracted by all the urgent priorities both at work and at home. However, as someone who sets the tone of your organisation, how you look after yourself acts as an important example to others.
THE RESILIENT MIND PROGRAM
Griffith’s Resilient Mind Program is an offering we created to develop mentally healthy workplaces.
The Resilient Mind Program brings together a new individual experience and intellectual understanding to produce a breakthrough in performance in all areas of life.
It is a holistic mental health program that provides practices like a scientifically verified meditation technique, one on one coaching as well as knowledge on resilience, stress prevention, nutrition, and much more for whole-person development to managing stress and energy to increase performance, happiness and mental health and wellness in the workplace.
If you would like to find out more, please reach out, one of our workplace wellbeing experts is happy to have a non-obligation call to discuss how you can further support the mental and physical wellbeing of your team and organisation and create Mentally Healthy Workplaces as you transition into 2021.
Author: Tegan Wallis
Tegan is a Naturopath, Ayurveda Health Consultant and Yoga Teacher at Griffith Consulting's sister company, Veda Wellness.
Tegan is one of Griffith Consulting's key program facilitators and specialises in workplace health & wellness.
For more information about Tegan or her services, please go to: www.vedawellness.com.au