May is Mental Health Awareness Month, providing an excellent opportunity for employers to revisit how they foster a positive and supportive work culture that emphasizes mental well-being. Understanding how to support mental health at work is critical for job satisfaction and overall productivity, especially in a fast-paced industry where tight deadlines and high demands are the norm.
Employers can implement any number of strategies to improve mental health. These approaches lead to better hiring and increased retention, team efficiency, and resilience at work.
Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)
An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a great resource in the workplace for promoting mental health wellness. This confidential service provides employees with access to professional counseling and support for a range of personal issues, including mental health challenges, stress management, and work-life balance concerns. By offering a proactive approach to mental health, EAPs can play a vital role in creating a supportive workplace environment, enhancing employee satisfaction, and ultimately contributing to a healthier organizational climate.
To get an EAP for your company, start by researching various providers to find one that fits your company’s needs and budget. It’s a good idea to compare different services to see what types of counseling and resources they offer, such as mental health support, legal assistance, or financial advising. Once you’ve chosen a provider, you’ll work with them to integrate the EAP into your existing employee benefits package and plan how the services will be communicated to your employees so they understand how to access the program. Most EAP providers also offer ongoing support to help manage the program and track its effectiveness in supporting your employees.
Access to Therapy Services
Access to therapy sessions, whether in-house or through third-party services, is increasingly popular among larger companies. These services offer employees the opportunity to address their mental health needs with professional support. For example, offering packages of 4-6 sessions per employee with an outside therapist can be a valuable benefit. Additionally, providing access to mental wellness apps can offer ongoing support and resources for employees to manage their mental health on their own terms.
A study by the Havard Business School has shown that companies providing such benefits experience lower turnover rates and higher employee satisfaction. Workers feel more engaged and are likely to be more productive when they feel supported at work through the availability of therapy. For more insights, listen to our podcast episode on mental health benefits in the workplace here.
Comprehensive Mental Health Benefits
Offering health insurance plans that include comprehensive mental health coverage ensures that employees can access necessary treatment without financial strain and demonstrates a company's commitment to its employees' well-being.
Insurance brokers can guide you towards plans that offer the best mental health benefits within your budget, giving insight into various plans and carriers. It's important to research the specific insurance networks in your state since coverage can vary significantly. Blue Cross Blue Shield, for example, is known for its extensive mental health coverage in Illinois.
Engaging directly with insurance carriers by contacting customer service can further clarify which specific mental health services are covered, ensuring the selected plan aligns well with your employees' needs. This approach ensures that your team has access to essential mental health services, which is an integral part of fostering a supportive workplace.
Employer Contributions to Health Insurance Premiums
When deciding on health benefits, employers should think about the level of their contributions to their employees’ health insurance premiums and consider increasing it. Employers can offer a higher flat contribution amount or a higher percentage of the monthly premium.
Assisting with premiums makes more wide-ranging coverage accessible for employees who have elevated medical needs. An increased employer contribution can make the difference for some workers between an HMO or high-cost PPO plan, which might not cover all the services an employee needs, and access to so-called “gold” and “platinum” plans that have more generous coverage.
This adjustment also makes plans more affordable for those with family members on a plan. For some workers, their only realistic option is to have their entire family on their health insurance plan, which can make monthly premiums quite costly. An increased employer contribution can provide entire families enhanced access to mental health services and therapies. Lower monthly premium costs for workers can alleviate the stress associated with health insurance, contributing positively to the mental well-being of workers.
Offering better health plan contributions is also a strategic move for recruitment and retention. By easing the financial burden of healthcare costs for workers, companies can laud their enhanced employee benefits in job promotion and hiring materials, and also internally to their staff. Doing so will help attract a wider pool of talent and help ensure current employees remain at the company.
Workplace Culture Audits
Understanding your company’s culture is crucial in creating a supportive environment for mental well-being. Culture and employee relations audits are one tool that can provide valuable insights into the current state of your workplace culture, identifying areas of strength and opportunities for improvement. These audits can uncover hidden stressors, communication breakdowns, and areas where employees may feel unsupported or undervalued.
Culture audits are usually performed by external workplace investigators who conduct thorough evaluations, gathering feedback through surveys, interviews, and focus groups. They analyze the collected data to provide actionable recommendations tailored to your company’s unique needs. Implementing these recommendations can lead to a more inclusive, supportive, and mentally healthy workplace.
Culture audits not only focus on identifying issues but also on creating a roadmap for positive change. By addressing the root causes of stress and dissatisfaction, an audit can help companies promote well-being, engagement, and productivity.
Prioritizing mental health is not just a compassionate choice but a strategic one that can lead to lasting positive impacts on workplace culture and performance. As Mental Health Awareness Month unfolds, it is the perfect time for employers to implement these strategies to create a healthier, more engaged, and more productive workforce, ultimately benefiting both employees and the organization as a whole.