As we enter a new month in Pandemic World, more organizations are turning their attention to employee mental health. Recent CDC data show more than one-third of Americans are experiencing symptoms of clinical anxiety and depression, but there are some simple and effective ways to address this issue moving forward and allow organizations to maintain efficient operations.
Causes of Anxiety
It’s no secret that long-term exposure to anxiety creates larger mental health issues, and those issues in turn affect productivity and efficiency. Studies have shown job insecurity and financial instability to be the chief drivers of worker anxiety. Workplace safety concerns have a significant impact on employee mental health as well, so good planning and clear communication can protect both mental and physical well-being in the workplace.
Unsurprisingly, healthcare workers have taken a harder hit to mental health due to the demands of their jobs and the physical discomfort of spending long hours wearing protective equipment. As anyone who has spent an eight-hour shift wearing a face mask can attest, many of these stressors are affecting all of us in one way or another. Managers have turned to more creative ways to address these concerns.
Solutions for Improved Mental Health
Supporting employee mental health in these times isn’t just a good thing to do on the human level; it’s essential to preserve the bottom line. As a result, organizations are expanding access to mental health resources and working to reduce the social stigma around seeking help. In addition to formal support systems, managers can offer extra support with clear communication, flexible scheduling, clear safety plans, and creative problem-solving. Simple empathy goes a long way, as workers are more willing to give their all when they feel the organization is giving something to them.
Where budgets allow, outsourcing can also open avenues to allow for additional worker support. For example, at The Records Company, we are committed to doing our part to help managers support staff mental health in whatever ways we can by sharing the workload as we all navigate an evolving workplace together. Contact us to learn more about the solutions we can offer your organization.