The stigma associated with mental health issues can be challenging to address in the workplace. Many people carry subconscious biases toward mental health issues that can lead to serious workplace problems such as discrimination and hurt an employee’s wellbeing.

Additionally, those suffering from mental health issues in the workplace might choose to keep their personal challenges to themselves out of fear of being labeled weak or incompetent to perform their job duties – which can stand in the way of them seeking help.

Here are five steps companies can take to effectively support employee mental health in the workplace.

1. Educate your workforce

Experiencing mental health issues – like anxiety, stress, grief, trauma, depression and burnout – in more common than you may realize.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in five adults experience mental illness in a given year.

When you consider these numbers, chances are likely that someone in your workforce may be suffering from mental health issues. If that’s the case, it has the potential to not only affect the employee in question – but also a good portion of your workforce, team morale, productivity and other areas that impact overall business performance.

There are four subtle signs you can watch for to identify an employee struggling with emotional health in the workplace. They may:

1. Be more likely to miss work (increased absenteeism)
2. Lack efficiency and show poor decision making skills
3. Have gaps in their productivity, resulting in poor job performance
4. Experience strained interpersonal relationships with coworkers

By helping your employees understand the importance of mental health at work, and that common concerns can be quickly addressed, you can cultivate an accepting environment that reduces stigma and minimizes the potential for long-term problems.

2. Promote good mental health practices

Managers and employees who are educated on how mental health issues can affect the workplace will be better prepared to offer help, follow wise protocol and avoid developing stigmatizing prejudices.

Here are six proactive initiatives to address mental health in the workplace:

• Offer lunch-and-learn programs on the facts about mental health.
• Establish an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that provides counseling and mental health services and support. Make sure your employees know about it and how to use it.
• Train managers on how to spot risk factors and signs of stress, fatigue, anxiety or depression.
• Have an open-door policy for employees to share when they’re going through a difficult time at home or are feeling overwhelmed.
• Work with managers on how to help their employees balance their stressors and embrace a healthy work-life balance.
• Include information on how to address mental health in the workplace in your employee handbook.

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