How Can You Advocate for Mental Health in the Workplace?
10 Oct 2024
Published in: Black Country Chamber of Commerce News
See how you can make a difference in your organisation during World Mental Health Day.
It’s World Mental Health Day 2024 and this year’s theme is - “It is time to prioritise mental health in the workplace“. Keep reading below for our seven top tips on how you can better implement effective wellbeing strategies among your team.
1. Humanise Your HR Presence
Whether your go-to is ‘people management’ or ‘human resources’, fostering a culture where employees naturally build a rapport with your HR presence means they will be more confident to approach them in future.
It may be worth implementing a ‘Meet the HR Team’ mixer to facilitate introductions in a natural networking environment. This way, a “people first” impression can make it easier for employees to follow-up with the department.
2. Regularly Review Your HR Policies
People and policies are constantly changing. As an employer, looking for these changes – even if they may not directly relate to people in your company – is a continual responsibility.
We all encounter situations that are hard to predict, so encouraging mental health awareness training and knowledge of policy changes across the board will give you enough time to adapt.
3. Keep Up with Emerging Factors
It is important to be mindful of how local and global affairs may be affecting members of your teams. From changing socio-economic landscapes down to individual factors like physical health and family situations can take a toll on our mental health without anyone realising.
Reminding all your staff of your wellbeing services at key points through the year avoids putting anyone on the spot while making sure they can access resources when needed.
Additionally, you can utilise staff benefits and wellbeing packages to include 24-hour helplines, professional counselling and access to medical advice.
4. Ask Your Staff (Anonymous Surveys)
Sending surveys allows employers to gather the relevant data often needed to identify their strengths regarding mental health support and areas for improvement.
Opinion surveys are crucial in assessing what new strategies would add value to your organisation while allowing employees to use their voice in the decision-making process.
5. Source External Experts for Training
Providing digital resources or training – e.g. workshop visits from experts – regarding mental health training is a vital part of empowering your teams.
In addition to the regular induction training, targeted mental health workshops allow employees access to appropriate resources that they can either use themselves or refer to others.
Moreover, in-person sessions allow employees to engage with the material personally – perhaps sharing their own stories and bringing case studies to life in a way that might not be feasible digitally.
6. Promote Mental and Physical Health
Wellness includes both mental and physical health so supporting initiatives like cycle to work schemes, discounted gym membership and inclusive staff catering can make a world of difference.
Also, being mindful of any employee dietary and physical restrictions is important in making sure everyone feels included. Room for any health information (e.g. mobility, allergy, diet etc.) should be available for employees to update within your data base, and considered when implementing decisions for the team in instances like off-site trips.
7. Get Your Team Talking (With Each Other)
Promoting open communication goes a long way. Why not get everyone together for a chat over tea and biscuits? This is especially useful for companies with multiple locations or staff working offsite.
A simple catch-up every few months might make all the difference for boosting morale and feelings of community.
Alternatively, if you want to up the ante you can provide team days out and activities e.g. staff nature retreats, escape rooms and even charity challenges like football matches and hikes to give back to the local community.
Want to learn more?
Join us at our upcoming Quarter 3 2024 Data Reveal event on 17th October.
Hear from our speakers who will be giving their analysis of what the data means for your business, and more on this quarter's theme of staff benefits and wellbeing.
We will discuss:
- How businesses have changed their wellbeing strategy over time and what they expect in future
- How company culture can positively influence wellbeing strategy for businesses
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