Mental health is a concern for many HR leaders. Because when an employee’s mental health is not good, it can lead to problems in the workplace. These problems can include decreased productivity, increased absenteeism, and even workplace violence. In this blog post, we will discuss the top employee mental health issues that HR leaders worry about, and we will give tips on how to effectively address them.
Listing Employee Mental Health Issues HR Leaders Worry About
Workplace stress is the number one concern for HR leaders when it comes to employee mental health. Stress can come from a variety of sources, including workload, deadlines, office politics, and more. When employees are stressed, they may have difficulty concentrating, sleeping, or eating. They may also experience anxiety, depression, or other mental health problems.
Why HR Leaders Need To Worry About Them
There are a variety of reasons why HR leaders need to be concerned about employee mental health.
- For one, mental health problems can lead to decreased productivity. When employees are stressed, they may have difficulty concentrating on their work. This can lead to mistakes, missed deadlines, and other problems.
- Additionally, mental health problems can lead to increased absenteeism. Employees who are struggling with their mental health may take more sick days, or they may come to work late or leave early.
- Finally, mental health problems can also lead to workplace violence. In extreme cases, employees may lash out at co-workers, customers, or even their boss.
Top Employee Mental Health Issues
In no particular order, here are the top ten employee mental health issues that HR leaders worry about:
Work-related Injuries
Work-related injuries can cause physical pain and suffering as well as mental health problems. Injuries can lead to absenteeism, lost productivity, and workers’ compensation claims.
Sleeping Problems
Sleeping problems, such as insomnia, can be caused by stress. Insomnia can make it difficult for employees to concentrate and perform their work tasks.
Substance Abuse
Substance abuse is a serious problem that can lead to addiction and mental health problems. It can cause employees to miss work, be less productive, or engage in risky behaviors.
Anger Management Problems
Anger management problems can cause employees to lash out at co-workers, customers, or others. These problems can lead to absenteeism, lost productivity, and workers’ compensation claims.
Anxiety
Anxiety is a mental health condition that can be caused by stress. Symptoms of anxiety include feeling nervous, restless, or tense; having trouble sleeping; sweating, heart palpitations, or dizziness. Anxiety can make it difficult for employees to concentrate and perform their work tasks.
Depression
Depression is a serious mental health condition that can cause a variety of symptoms, including feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and fatigue; trouble sleeping or eating, and difficulty concentrating. Depression can make it difficult for employees to perform their work tasks and may lead to absenteeism.
PTSD
PTSD is a mental health condition that can be caused by a traumatic event, such as a natural disaster, military combat, or sexual assault. Symptoms of PTSD include flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, and depression. PTSD can make it difficult for employees to concentrate and perform their work tasks.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that is characterized by extreme mood swings. Symptoms of bipolar disorder include periods of mania, where the individual feels excessively happy or agitated, and periods of depression, where the individual feels sad or hopeless. Thus, bipolar disorder can make it difficult for employees to perform their work tasks and may lead to absenteeism.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that can cause a variety of physical and psychological symptoms. Symptoms of an eating disorder include preoccupation with food, body weight, or appearance; extreme dieting or binge eating; and purging through vomiting or use of laxatives. Eventually, eating disorders can make it difficult for employees to concentrate and perform their work tasks.
Obsessive-compulsive Disorder
OCD is a mental health condition characterized by obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. Symptoms of OCD include repetitive hand-washing, counting, or checking; excessive neatness or cleanliness; and hoarding. Consequently, OCD can make it difficult for employees to concentrate and perform their work tasks.
Adjustment Disorders
Adjustment disorders are mental health conditions that can occur in response to a stressful event, such as a job loss or divorce. Symptoms of an adjustment disorder can include anxiety, depression, and difficulty sleeping. As a result, adjustment disorders can make it difficult for employees to cope with change and may lead to absenteeism.
Suggesting Tips To HR Leaders To Effectively Address Them
It’s no secret that the workplace can be a major source of stress. Thus, for HR leaders, this means taking on the responsibility of ensuring their employees are healthy and happy both mentally and physically.
So one of the most important ways HR can support employee mental health is by being proactive about addressing any issues that may arise.
Top Tips For HR Leaders
If you are an HR leader, there are a few things you can do to effectively address employee mental health issues. For instance:
Educate Yourself And Act Timely
- Educate yourself and your employees about mental health: This education can help to reduce the stigma around mental illness and help employees to understand that they are not alone.
- Address problems early: It is important to address mental health problems early before they become more serious. The sooner, the better. So that they resume work quickly after a much-needed recovery break.
Maintain Healthy Workplace Culture
- Encourage employees to seek help: Employees may be reluctant to seek help for mental health problems due to stigma or fear of discrimination. As an HR leader, you can encourage employees to seek help by creating a culture of open communication and support.
- Create a safe and supportive workplace environment: This environment should be free from discrimination and harassment, and it should provide employees with the resources they need to be successful.
- Create a culture of open communication: Employees should feel comfortable communicating with their supervisors about mental health issues. As an HR leader, you can create a culture of open communication by fostering open dialogue and promoting a healthy work-life balance.
- Encourage employees to take breaks: Employees who are experiencing mental health problems may need to take breaks from work. As an HR leader, you can encourage employees to take breaks by providing flexible work arrangements or time off.
- Provide training on mental health: Employees may benefit from training on mental health topics, such as stress management or coping with anxiety. As an HR leader, you can provide employees with information about mental health resources, such as employee assistance programs or counseling services.
Introduce Sound Policies And Provide Resources
- Make sure your company’s policies are supportive: Your company should have policies and procedures that are supportive of employees with mental health issues. For example, your company should have a policy that allows employees to take time off for mental health reasons.
- Make sure employees have access to resources: Employees may need assistance in finding mental health resources. As an HR leader, you can provide employees with information about mental health resources, such as employee assistance programs or counseling services.
Look Into Routine Stuff
- Promote a healthy work-life balance: A healthy work-life balance is essential for employees’ mental health.
- Monitor employee stress levels: Employees who are experiencing high levels of stress are more likely to experience mental health problems.
- Provide employees with growth opportunities: Employees who feel stagnant in their jobs are more likely to experience job-related stress.
Giving Reasons Why You Need To Intervene
There are a few reasons why you, as an HR leader, need to intervene when it comes to employee mental health. For instance:
- First, employees with mental health problems are more likely to experience job-related stress. This stress can lead to problems such as absenteeism, decreased productivity, and even violence.
- Second, employees with mental health problems are more likely to experience poor work-life balance. This imbalance can lead to problems such as burnout, job dissatisfaction, and turnover.
- Third, employees with mental health problems are more likely to have difficulty concentrating or making decisions. This can lead to errors in judgment, which can be costly for your company.
- Fourth, employees with mental health problems are more likely to have difficulty in interpersonal relationships. This can lead to conflict in the workplace and a negative work environment.
- Finally, employees with mental health problems are more likely to experience financial difficulties. This can lead to financial stress, which can further worsen mental health problems.
Advocating For Employee Assistance Program
As an HR leader, you can advocate for your company to provide an employee assistance program (EAP). An EAP is a confidential counseling service that can help employees with mental health problems. In addition, it can provide employees with support and resources, such as referrals to mental health professionals.
How EAP Can Help You Take Better Care Of Employees
An EAP can help you take better care of your employees by providing them with support and resources. For instance:
- First, an EAP can help you monitor employee stress levels. Subsequently, this information can be used to identify employees who are at risk for mental health problems and take necessary steps before it’s too late.
- Second, an EAP can help you identify employees (without compromising their confidentiality) who are experiencing mental health problems. Incidentally, this can prompt you to provide employees with the resources they need to improve their mental health.
- Third, an EAP can help you provide employees with growth opportunities and improved productivity. As EAP helps identify training and development opportunities for employees. In addition, it helps employees with problems such as stress management, substance abuse, and financial difficulties.
- Fourth, an EAP can help you promote a healthy work-life balance. This, in turn, helps boost employee morale and job satisfaction and reduces absenteeism and turnover. Because, the healthier the employees, the better the outcomes.
- Finally, an EAP can help you advocate for your company to provide resources for employees with mental health problems. As a result, it can help to improve the overall mental health of your workplace. As a result, employees will feel better placed and more belonged to their companies/organizations.
How Mantra Care Can Help You
As an HR leader, you play a vital role in supporting employees with mental health issues. However, you can do this by providing them with streamlined resources and professional support. As it is almost difficult to manage everything on your own. Therefore we recommend you consider trying an employee assistance program.
Here, Mantra Care is a leading provider of EAP services. Incidentally, we can help your company to create a healthy work environment for employees. Thus, hep you better in taking care of your employees by sharing the weight of your job responsibilities.
Because Mantra Care can provide you with the resources and mental health support you need to effectively address employee mental health issues. Noteworthily, we offer a comprehensive EAP package that includes:
- A confidential assessment by a licensed mental health professional
- A customized plan of action for individualized treatment and goals
- Referrals to mental health professionals for personalized care and support
- Follow-up support as a part of case management strategy for desired outcomes
NOTE: Mantra Care is committed to providing you with the highest quality EAP services. So contact us today to learn more about how we can help you! Or visit our website at mantra-care.org!
Conclusion
As an HR leader, it is important to be aware of the signs of mental health problems and to know how to effectively address them. Since by being aware of the mental health issues that your employees may be facing and taking steps to address them, you can create a healthy work environment for all. Furthermore, if you are an HR leader and would like more tips on how to effectively address employee mental health issues, please feel free to contact Mantra Care at mantracare.org for EAP packages or any guidance.
A Word From MantraCare Wellness
Employee wellness programs are the key to improving employee motivation, productivity, and retention. At MantraCare Wellness, we have a team of health experts, counselors, and coaches who serve corporate employees with 10+ wellbeing programs including EAP, Employee Diabetes Reversal, Corporate MSK, PCOS, Employee Fitness, Corporate Yoga, Employee meditation, and Employee Smoking Cessation.