How to Improve the Mental Health in the Workplace

In Arthur Miller's well-known play, "Death of a Salesman," the main character, Willy Loman, struggles with serious mental health issues. Despite expressing a desire to work in his hometown for his well-being, Willy is turned down by his boss, Howard. The play ends sadly with Willy taking his own life.
This particular scene vividly highlights the communication gap between leaders and employees in numerous organizations. Unfortunately, mental health is given such low importance that new work trends are emerging, which may worsen the situation if not addressed promptly.

The Great Resignation, Quiet Quitting, and Mental Well-being in the Workplace
Since 2021, an unprecedented number of employees have chosen to resign from their jobs voluntarily, a phenomenon widely known as the Great Resignation, with 1 in 5 individuals either leaving or considering leaving their positions. In addition to this, according to Gallup, 50% of employees have engaged in what is termed "Quiet Quitting," signifying that they have disengaged from work and abandoned ambitious initiatives.
This trend forces company leadership to no longer neglect the importance of mental well-being. Particularly noteworthy is the fact that, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), the adverse economic impact of depression and anxiety alone on the global economy amounts to one trillion dollars in lost productivity. Yes, you read that correctly – one trillion dollars!

Mental Health in the Workplace
A recent recommendation from a group of medical experts at The US Preventive Task Force underscores the pressing need for screening all adults under 65 for anxiety disorders, highlighting the concerning rise in mental health issues within the workplace.
To address this challenge, companies can take proactive measures to support the mental well-being of their employees:
1. Train Leadership and HR to Recognize Symptoms of Mental Health Difficulties:
Identifying mental health problems can be challenging without proper training, especially in a work culture that may perceive such issues as weaknesses. It's not uncommon for scenarios depicted in movies, where a manager cites lack of enthusiasm, disengagement, and reduced productivity as grounds for immediate dismissal. Without awareness of these being potential symptoms of mental health problems, leaders risk pushing employees to the brink. Training leaders to spot and recognize signs of mental health difficulties is crucial in preventing such situations from frequently occuring in the workplace.
2. Provide an Empathic Work Culture:
Creating a culture of empathy is vital for fostering a supportive environment. Actively listening to employees helps bridge gaps in understanding. For instance, consider an employee with a two-hour commute, sacrificing valuable family time and experiencing heightened stress and exhaustion. Leadership that incorporates open feedback mechanisms, such as employee satisfaction surveys and frequent pulse surveys, can identify such issues early on. By offering flexible work arrangements, the company demonstrates a commitment to addressing employees' needs and preventing further escalation of problems.
3. Improve Employees’ Experience:
Many successful leaders opt for walking meetings, finding that a change in environment sparks creativity and generates innovative ideas. Consider a marketing company that transitioned from traditional PowerPoint board meetings to outdoor walks. This shift proved transformative, tapping into the emotions of their customers and leading to a highly successful year. Walking meetings not only keep minds sharp and healthy, according to Harvard Health Publications, but also unleash employees' creative potential, preventing burnout and quiet quitting. Ultimately, companies benefit from heightened productivity and increased customer awareness.
4. Have Regular Check-ins and Recognize Skills:
   Establishing regular check-ins is a powerful strategy to boost employee satisfaction. In one case, a company with a disheartened employee turned the tide by introducing a new managerial approach of checking in on employees. The manager, recognizing the value of listening to employees, inquired about briefs on the employee's desk that would have otherwise been overlooked. This simple act led to a discovery: the employee's ideas were a treasure trove for building brand affinity. The moral of the story is clear – never underestimate the importance of recognizing your employees, listening to their ideas, and rewarding their talents. This practice can open new chapters of success for a company.
5. Have an Inclusive Work Environment:
   Prioritizing mental well-being within the organization is crucial for overall success. In a partnership with a customer organization, we encountered a highly talented employee facing debilitating panic attacks that significantly impacted her daily life. Although the company lacked formal mental health transparency plans at the time, they swiftly recognized the potential productivity losses and took immediate action. Providing the employee with the guidance of a trained psychologist, the company supported her on a path to success. Today, she stands as a success story actively working to eliminate the stigma of mental health issues in the workplace. Companies can learn from this example by fostering workplace transparency and offering free mental health consultations.
6. Make Work Meaningful:
   Research indicates that individuals who find purpose and meaning in their work are not only happier but also more mentally resilient and productive. Unfortunately, many corporate leaders fail to align the company's purpose with employees' personal goals, resulting in heightened stress and a reassessment of their place within the organization.
Creating meaning starts with understanding the emotional needs of employees, acknowledging that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to employee experience. Hands-on leadership and breaking down silos are effective ways to achieve this. Simple examples include:

   - Delegating a low-level employee to kick off a meeting, boosting their self-esteem.
   - Rewarding highly engaged employees with a donation to their preferred charity, enhancing their sense of validation and potentially garnering positive recommendations for the company.
   - Facilitating one-on-one meetings between employees and valued customers to significantly improve job attitudes.
   - Handpicking outstanding employees to attend high-level meetings or receive coaching from their leaders, fostering loyalty.
   Any act of human connection holds significant business potential for the company while simultaneously addressing employees' mental health, engagement, and productivity.
7. Implement a Mental Well-being Strategy:
A mental well-being strategy is a holistic approach encompassing both physical and psychological aspects, crucial for driving organizational success. This strategy employs tools to monitor and measure employees' experiences, identifying signs of mental health issues such as disengagement and reduced productivity. To thrive in the contemporary global society, organizations must prioritize mental well-being as a fundamental aspect of their operations. Leadership can reinforce this strategy by integrating mental well-being into company policies, recognizing its importance on par with physical health. Managers should establish concrete procedures and regulations to ensure that employees receive the necessary help and support.

Mental Well-being is Key to Workplace Success:
The role of mental well-being in a company extends beyond individual health; it significantly influences employability, reputation, and overall success. Productivity losses stemming from unaddressed mental health problems cannot be ignored. Recent trends such as quiet quitting and collective resigning among employees are symptomatic of underlying mental health issues in the workforce. Acknowledging and proactively addressing these challenges is imperative for sustained workplace success.