Here’s what I know: mental health is a priority

A survey by BACP revealed two-thirds of therapists believe the cost of living crisis is causing people’s mental health to spiral.

61% have said their clients are anxious about paying their bills.

Now more than ever, employers need to make mental health a priority in the workplace. If they don’t, they can expect to face huge problems. Underperformance. Lack of results. Burnout. Absences. The list goes on…

A happy and healthy workforce is fundamental to the success of a business. Without a strong team, there won’t be a strong company.

That’s why it’s vital to support your staff to help them be the best they can be. Give them the tools they need and watch them succeed. 

It’s your duty of care to look after your workers. And supporting mental health issues is just as important as removing physical hazards at work. After all, both can lead to accidents when left unchecked…

If your workers are struggling with mental health issues, it’s likely they’ll be tired, unmotivated, and unproductive. This may lead to mistakes, potential injuries, and burnout. That’s why you need to address issues head on. If your staff don’t feel supported by you, there’s usually one way this goes. They look for opportunities elsewhere.

Job security is big on everyone’s mind. In order to retain your workforce, you need to show you can support them in the ways they need. It’s not just about money, it’s also about:

• taking time to check in on them regularly
• making sure their workload is manageable
• encouraging a healthy work-life balance
• encouraging open discussions about mental health

Mental health should never be a taboo topic in the workplace.

Having an employee assistance programme (EAP) service is a great way to ensure your staff have access to wellbeing support, so you can focus on supporting your business. Whether they need face-to-face counselling or self-help resources, an EAP can help them overcome their biggest challenges – inside and outside of work.

It’s vital we understand how to best support our staff as individuals. This might look like offering greater flexibility or mental health training. This training will help you be able to spot the signs of mental health problems and manage staff who are struggling. And it can be for yourself and your staff.

To find out more about mental health training or offering an EAP service, give us a call today on 0800 029 4384.